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The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Malayalam film ‘Moonwalk' has put the spotlight back on Footloosers, Thiruvananthapuram's pioneering breakdance academy
How about stopping the traffic by putting on your dancing shoes? Siblings Santhosh Kumar, a.k.a Babu Footloosers, 58, and Sajeesh Kumar, 53, did just that on Manaveeyam Veedhi on a Saturday evening. As the dynamic duo broke into some killer moves, those who passed by halted for a while. Giving them company were their two students, Sajith Viswanathan and Vipin Raveendran. Think breakdance and Thiruvananthapuram had one address in the late '80s — Footloosers. Even though the dance academy has adapted to the changing times, Babu and Sajeesh, the founders are happy to be under the spotlight again. Thanks to Moonwalk, a film, currently streaming on OTT, which breezes through the lives of a few youngsters in Thiruvananthapuram who were passionate about breakdance. The storyline is inspired by several real-life people and incidents. 'Vinod [Vinod AK, director of Moonwalk] had planned to make a documentary on breakdancers in Kerala initially. Thanks to the work that went into the project, there was a rejuvenation in the community. The current generation has no clue about how we learnt the style and went on to become popular at a time when there was no social media. It felt good to be in the limelight again,' says Babu. Among the early members of his group was his friends from Government Arts College — Padmakumar BS, Praveen Sadasivan Pillai, Ajith Kumar and Riyas Hussain. Sajeesh, then a school student, Sreekumar and Anil Bose joined later. 'We got a video cassette on the street dance groups in the US and that was a treasure for us. Since we couldn't afford a VCR, we were at the mercy of those who had one. We would watch it on repeat mode to learn the steps,' Babu remembers. They used to practice in a space behind the college. Sajeesh, who joined a private college, used to join them during intervals. 'We had a tape recorder, and the battery would die off within an hour. We would pool in money to buy new ones!' says Sajeesh. Thanks to a non-teaching staff at Arts College they got their first show at Peringamala. 'We were known as Crimmers then. The crowd was surprised to see the style and they loved it,' Babu recalls. As interest grew he started dance classes at his home, 'charging ₹80 as admission fee and ₹60 as a monthly fee'. They also set new trends in fashion. 'While my hair was thin and long, Babu chettan's was curly,' says Sajeesh. Babu adds, 'We styled our hair at this salon at Manacaud. I followed cricketer Raman Lamba's hairstyle. Acid-wash jeans, baggy pants etc were in vogue then. We would flock to Melody at Spencer Junction, the one-off place from where we could buy these and also wore bright, colourful T-shirts with loud designs. In fact, we all loved flaunting our style. Of course, we had so many female fans. Fashion became a passion for us!' says Babu. Both of them dropped out of college to focus on dance and dance classes. Kochi also had a vibrant breakdance community then but their styles were different. 'While they wore flashy, glittery costumes and a lot of accessories, we opted for the 'gentlemen' look — black pants, white shirt, gloves etc. We bought steel studs from Chala market, fixed them on rexin sheets and tied them on our waist and wrists,' Babu says. Their popularity shot up after a programme at Chengannur. By then the group was named Footloosers, inspired by an English song, and they registered it in 1988. 'Since my dream was to become a stunt guy in cinema, I knew acrobatics and martial arts. We incorporated those in our dance routines and that gave us an edge over others,' Babu says. He jokingly adds that since they did not know the name of the steps they used codenames. 'It was much later that we learnt terms such as mule kick, worm, windmill, crabwalk, swipe, knee spin, neck roll, back flip, air cartwheel etc,' Babu adds. While locking, popping and isolation moves were Babu's speciality, Sajeesh excelled in slides, moonwalk, windmill, waves etc. Sajeesh even won first place at the all-Kerala breakdance competition held at Kochi. 'My father didn't want me to go because he thought I had no chance in front of experienced dancers. But chettan encouraged me, and asked me to take his bike and go to Kochi,' says Sajeesh. He also went on a four-month tour to the UK with the dance group, Attakkalari, in 1997-98. Although Babu fractured his thigh bone while trying a new move in mid-90s, he was back on stage after a year and continued to dance till 2000. Sajeesh was active till 2010. Now they or their students take classes at their studio at Vanchiyoor (currently being renovated) and various schools in the city. 'We kept getting students who went on to become solid dancers. It is now the fifth and sixth generation that is taking classes. As our work is being discussed now, many of our old students are getting in touch with us,' say the brothers. Among their disciples is Sreejith P Dazzlers who used to come on his bike from Kochi on weekends for the classes. Footloosers has branches in Kerala and West Asia. Babu remembers how he used to walk around seeking opportunities to perform. 'We just wanted a stage to show what we learnt,' he says. Besides being a choreographer or assistant in over 65 movies, Babu also acted in small roles. He has also turned producer and is awaiting the release of his first film. He mentions that 'there were a few other breakdance troupes during that time such as Spindles by Tom Antony and Boomers by Ajith Nath and Aneesh Nath. Then there was Padmakumar who made a name with his Michael Jackson moves.' Reflecting on other dancers of the time, he mentions Johnson master, who pioneered the scene in Kochi. 'I taught at Kalabhavan [in Kochi] upon his invite. Then there is Shelton from Thrissur, who was superlative when it came to robotic acts,' he adds. Nizar master from Kottayam was also popular then, adds Sajeesh. In 2023, Babu and Johnson went viral on social media when they performed at an event to felicitate them organised by KL7Gary, a YouTube channel. 'We were thrilled with the response. Among those who commented was some of the current popular choreographers and dancers in Bollywood and Hindi reality shows,' Babu remembers. The duo stresses that the current generation does not want to learn pure breakdance. 'There is little interest in the style. The focus is now on steps and the rhythm,' Sajeesh says, adding, 'Our dream is to organise a programme in Thiruvananthapuram specifically for breakdance. We have been planning it for sometime.'
India Today
07-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
India Today College Rankings 2025: Top 10 BBA colleges with best value for money
The India Today Best Colleges Rankings 2025 have placed the spotlight on an increasingly crucial metric for students and families -- Return on Investment (ROI). As education costs rise, students are now weighing the earning potential of their degrees more curated list recognises the Top 10 Colleges with the Best ROI, offering exceptional value for money by balancing affordable course fees with strong placement ROI is calculated by dividing the average annual salary of graduates by the total course fee. Colleges on this list, ranging from business to arts and science streams, showcase how strategic academic choices can lead to maximum financial returns. Here are the top 10 colleges for BBA for best value for money as per India Today College Rankings 2025:1. VO Chidambaram College, ThoothukudiWith an unbeatable ROI of 174.42, this college delivers high placement returns for minimal investment. It's popular for commerce, science, and job-linked programmes in southern Tamil Nadu.2. Government Arts College (Autonomous), SalemWith an 89.89 ROI, it is a government-run institution that blends affordability with career-oriented academic programs. It boasts strong placement outcomes, especially in teaching and public services.3. Sri GVG Visalakshi College for Women (Autonomous), TiruppurThis women's college offers excellent academic support and career preparation with 41.24 ROI. It's known for empowering first-generation learners with strong post-study outcomes.4. Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, New DelhiOne of India's premier undergraduate business colleges under Delhi University. Its industry-aligned curriculum ensures top-notch placements in finance, consulting, and analytics with an ROI of 15.76.5. Keshav Mahavidyalaya, New DelhiWith an ROI of 11.98, it is a DU constituent college with a good academic environment and placement record. Students benefit from exposure to internships, corporate talks, and skill development.6. Sivananda Sarma Memorial RV College, BengaluruPart of the prestigious RV institutions with an ROI of 7.84, it is known for its focus on business and commerce. Located in Bengaluru, it taps into the city's vibrant job ecosystem.7. Gobi Arts & Science College (Autonomous), ErodeIt offers a wide range of undergraduate programs and regional placement tie-ups. The college maintains a strong academic reputation in rural Tamil Nadu with ROI 5.77.8. Ramanujan College, New DelhiA dynamic DU-affiliated institution with modern infrastructure and diverse programs. It provides good placements and upskilling initiatives through add-on courses with ROI 5.62.9. Dr. BR Ambedkar College, HyderabadProvides affordable education with a focus on employability and skill training. It attracts students from across Telangana due to its strong value offering with an ROI of 4.88.10. Hindusthan College of Arts And Science (Autonomous), CoimbatoreadvertisementKnown for its industry collaborations and practical orientation. The college supports students with campus placements and career-building programs with ROI Top 10 Colleges with Best ROI (2025)RankCollegeCityROI1VO Chidambaram CollegeThoothukudi174.422Government Arts College (Autonomous)Salem89.893Sri GVG Visalakshi College for Women (Autonomous)Tiruppur41.244Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business StudiesNew Delhi15.765Keshav MahavidyalayaNew Delhi11.986Sivananda Sarma Memorial RV CollegeBengaluru7.847Gobi Arts & Science College (Autonomous)Erode5.778Ramanujan CollegeNew Delhi5.629Dr. BR Ambedkar CollegeHyderabad4.8810Hindusthan College of Arts & Science (Autonomous)Coimbatore4.87ABOUT THE INDIA TODAY BEST COLLEGES SURVEY 2025The 29th edition of the India Today Best Colleges Survey, carried out in partnership with Marketing & Development Research Associates (MDRA), witnessed entries from 1,865 colleges nationwide this India's vast pool of over 58,000 colleges, the survey acts as a trusted guide for students and parents navigating complex higher education decisions. It evaluates institutions across 14 academic disciplines and now features detailed subject-wise current-year data submitted by participating colleges is used, with rankings based on detailed parameter-wise assessment. These include teaching standards, infrastructure, placements, and more—making it a reliable resource for those prioritising both quality and out the full rankings for the India Today Group's Best Colleges Survey 2025 here.- Ends
The Hindu
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
The English teacher who overcame obstacles and marginalisation
On Sunday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin posted a message on his social media handle. 'Congratulations, Dr. Jency. May the light of your hard work let many more take up education. Let them overcome obstacles and marginalisation through education.' Ms. Jency is the first transgender to become an assistant professor at Loyola College. A native of R.K. Pet in Tiruttani, she completed schooling and under-graduation at government institutions. 'Even when I was in Class 2, I knew I was effeminate and liked it. Neighbours chided me but I was me. I used to be scared of transgenders. I decided that I would educate myself and worked hard. I was the topper in school in Class 12. There was no English teacher in school, and I scored the lowest in English with just 108 marks. I was lucky as 11 students ahead of me on the merit list did not turn up for counselling,' she says of her admission to BA Literature at Government Arts College, Tiruttani. She did her post-graduation in literature and then M. Phil at Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College in Chennai. She was a gold medallist in BA and MA, she says. Her mother sold flowers and accompanied her to Loyola College when she registered herself for Ph.D, Ms. Jency says. 'Sadly, my mother did not live to see me complete my Ph.D,' she says. Her doctoral thesis was on the relationship between nature and literature. Ms. Jency says her guide and the current head of English Department, P. Mary Vidya Porselvi, helped her complete her research. She is indebted to the principal of the college too, she adds. 'I want to make an appeal to the Chief Minister. I appeal to him to give me a job in a government college. I would like to change the stereotype that people have of transgenders,' says the 30-year-old.
The Hindu
19-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Quiz, seminar on scientific Tamil mark Manavai Mustafa birth anniversary
The birth centenary of scientific Tamil scholar Manavai Mustafa was celebrated with a host of events at a function got up by the Department of Tamil Development at the Government Arts College in Manapparai on Thursday. Born in Manapparai in Tiruchi district, Manavai Mustafa had served as the editor of Unesco Courier Tamil magazine. He had published glossaries on computers, medicine, and science and technology, and translated many books from English to Tamil, including the history of the Indian National Army. At the event held on Thursday, an exhibition of scientific Tamil books was declared open by Minister for Municipal Administration K.N. Nehru in the presence of M.P. Saminathan, Minister for Tamil Development, Information and Publicity. Minister for School Education Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and others paid floral tributes to a portrait of Manavai Mustafa. A quiz and seminar on scientific Tamil were organised as part of the event.
The Hindu
09-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Researchers ‘rediscover' lost hexapod species described from the Nilgiris
A species of hexapod originally described from the Nilgiris close to a century ago, with even the original 'holotype' specimen being lost, was 'rediscovered' recently, with the complete mitochondrial DNA of the species – Ballistura fitchoides, being characterised by researchers at the Molecular Biodiversity Lab at the Government Arts College in Udhagamandalam. 'J. R. Dennis, a French scientist, in 1933 identified a rare species of springtail (Collembolla) insect from the Devarshola near Gudalur in Nilgiris. The taxonomy of this group is highly complex and has undergone many revisions. He named it Ballistura fitchi. Until now only two species of Ballistura are reported from India; the second one is from Bengal (Ballistura bengalensis by Yosii 1966)... He (Dennis) got only one or two individuals, and to make a clear description, he renamed it as Ballistura fitchoides in 1944 under the fitchi group. He deposited the specimens in the Musée National des Sciences Naturelles in Paris. Regrettably, the specimen vanished from the Musée National des Sciences Naturelles, leaving the world without any specimens of this species,' said R. Sanil one of the authors of the paper titled 'Description of Ballistura fitchioides (Collembola; Isotomidae) from the Wayanad, Kerala, India with its mitogenome.' R. Sanil, an associate professor from the Department of Zoology at Government Arts College in Udhagamandalam and head of the Molecular Biodiversity Lab in Udhagamandalam, along with his research students Anjooriya Jose and Narmadha S., worked with Dr. Mandal from the Zoological Survey of India in Kolkata and Dr. J. I. Arabea from Spain to discover the species again. They discovered a specimen at Kolavayal in Wayanad district, Kerala, about 35km from Devarshola in Tamil Nadu. As the original specimen (holotype – a single type specimen used to describe a species) has been lost, this specimen is called 'neotype,' and it was obtained from decomposing plantain waste accidentally, noted Mr. Sanil. Though 21 species are recorded throughout the world, genetic data of this genus are not available. The research team successfully characterised the complete mitochondrial DNA of this species, which is a promising discovery that can shed light on solving the taxonomical complexity of the genera, the researchers noted. Mr. Sanil told The Hindu characterising mitochondrial DNA was extremely difficult, especially from specimens as small as a hexapod. 'Till now, there is almost no genetic data accumulated about Ballistura species anywhere in the world. It is a matter of great pride that a small research lab in The Nilgiris, with limited funding has managed to accomplish this feat despite the challenges,' added Mr. Sanil, who is also the Principal of the to be constructed Government Arts and Science College in Coonoor. He also noted that the lead author, Ms. Anjooriya Jose is from an Adivasi community in Wayanad, who is currently selected as a Project Scientist in the Zoological Survey of India, Chennai.
