Latest news with #Kathakali
Time Business News
5 days ago
- Time Business News
Romantic 9 Days Kerala Luxury Honeymoon Tour for Couples
Planning a romantic escape with your partner? The 9 Days Kerala Luxury Honeymoon Tour offers the perfect blend of love, nature, relaxation, and indulgence. From private houseboat cruises to cozy hill stations and Ayurvedic spa experiences, this tour is specially curated for newlyweds or couples looking to rekindle their love in the lap of luxury. Kerala, fondly known as God's Own Country , is famous for its serene backwaters, misty mountains, golden beaches, and rich heritage. What better way to start a new life together than exploring its timeless beauty on a luxury honeymoon? Candlelight dinners at luxury resorts Romantic houseboat cruise in Alleppey Private pool villas and spa experiences Hill station retreat in Munnar Beachside stay in Kovalam or Marari Couple's Ayurvedic massage Scenic drives and exclusive sightseeing tours Arrive in Kochi, where your luxury honeymoon begins. You'll be greeted with fresh flowers and transferred to a luxury heritage hotel. Highlights: Explore Fort Kochi, Chinese Fishing Nets, and Dutch Palace Enjoy a Kathakali performance in the evening Sunset stroll by the seaside promenade Overnight Stay: 5-star heritage resort in Kochi Drive through lush green valleys and tea gardens as you make your way to the romantic hill station of Munnar. On the Way: Cheeyappara & Valara waterfalls Spice plantations and photo spots Evening: Romantic bonfire dinner at a luxury hill resort. Overnight Stay: Boutique luxury resort with valley view in Munnar Spend the day exploring Munnar's tranquil landscapes and attractions. Things to Do: Visit Tea Museum & Kolukkumalai Tea Estate Walk hand-in-hand through tea gardens Visit Mattupetty Dam & Echo Point Optional couple's spa therapy Overnight Stay: Same luxury resort in Munnar Drive to Thekkady, home of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and famous spice estates. Activities: Spice plantation visit with a guide Romantic boat ride on Periyar Lake Enjoy an optional jungle night walk Stay at a private cottage or pool villa Overnight Stay: Luxury eco-resort in Thekkady Today is the highlight of your 9 Days Kerala Luxury Honeymoon Tour – a romantic overnight stay on a luxury houseboat in Alleppey. Onboard Amenities: Private bedroom with en-suite bath Candlelight dinner on deck Sunset cruise through the backwaters Fresh seafood and Kerala cuisine Overnight Stay: Premium AC houseboat in Alleppey Disembark and proceed to Kumarakom, a quiet backwater village with luxury resorts on the banks of Vembanad Lake. Relax & Reconnect: Enjoy your private pool villa Take a traditional canoe ride at sunset Try a couple's Ayurvedic massage Overnight Stay: 5-star lakefront resort in Kumarakom Drive to the beachside haven of Kovalam or Marari, depending on your preference. Day Activities: Relax on the golden beach Visit local markets and lighthouses Beachside candlelight dinner Overnight Stay: Luxury beach resort with private cabana Enjoy your final full day relaxing at the beach resort. Optional Experiences: Traditional Ayurvedic spa treatments Sunset yoga sessions for couples Private boat ride or cycling tours nearby Overnight Stay: Same beach resort After breakfast, drive to Trivandrum or Kochi airport for your onward journey, with hearts full of memories and photo albums filled with love. Brunton Boatyard (Kochi) Spice Tree or Blanket Resort (Munnar) Elephant Court or Spice Village (Thekkady) Xandari Riverscapes (Alleppey Houseboat) Kumarakom Lake Resort The Leela Kovalam or Marari Beach Resort October to March: Cool and ideal for sightseeing and romance Cool and ideal for sightseeing and romance April to May: Pleasant hill stations, slightly hot on the coast Pleasant hill stations, slightly hot on the coast June to September: Monsoon magic, great for Ayurvedic treatments and lush landscapes Light, breathable clothes Swimwear for beach & pool villas Sunscreen and sunglasses Romantic wear for dinners Camera or smartphone with extra storage Travel documents and ID Curated for maximum privacy and romance Stay in the most premium resorts and houseboats Personalized itineraries with private transfers Special honeymoon inclusions like floral bed décor, cakes, and spa coupons Explore diverse landscapes—hills, forests, backwaters, and beaches—all in one trip TIME BUSINESS NEWS
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Calicut varsity's Board of Studies, academic council to take final call on exclusion of Vedan's song from syllabus
The Board of Studies (BoS) for undergraduate courses and the academic council of the University of Calicut are expected to take a final call on the proposed exclusion of a song by rapper Hirandas Murali (Vedan) in the syllabus of the four-year BA (Malayalam) course. M.M. Basheer, former head of the Department of Malayalam, University of Calicut, was recently asked by Vice-Chancellor P. Raveendran to look into the complaints over the inclusion of Mr. Murali's song Bhumi Njan Vazhunna Idam and Michael Jackson's song They don't care about us in the third semester of the course for a comparative study. Mr. Basheer had also suggested that the comparative study of Kathakali music and Carnatic music citing singer Gowri Lakshmi's rendition of Ajitha Hare also be removed from the syllabus. Nothing political Mr. Raveendran told the media on Saturday that there was nothing political about the proposals and it was an academic issue. He pointed out that the core question was whether students learning Malayalam literature should engage in a comparative study of music. 'I have forwarded Mr. Basheer's proposal to the BoS,' he said. The board and later the academic council would take a call on the issue, Mr. Raveendran added. Chaos at Senate meeting Meanwhile, a Senate meeting held on the day ended up in chaos after members affiliated to Left parties, Congress, and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) raised slogans highlighting various demands. While the pro-Left members protested against the move to exclude Mr. Murali's song from the syllabus and the 'unauthorised grant of marks' to a students' union leader at 'the behest of the V-C,' pro-Congress members and pro-IUML raised slogans against the alleged assault on staff during a recent protest by the Students Federation of India on the university campus and also sought steps to address the concerns over selection of minor (subsidiary) courses.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Time of India
The great Indian travel circuit: 5 circuits in India that cover 3 states in just 7 days
Keen to go for a trip? Well, why stick to one place, when you can cover multiple places in one go. Yes, with some smart planning, and a little love for train (or road) travel, you can check out multiple states in one epic week-long journey. From spiritual trails to royal heritage routes and coastal escapes, here are 5 incredible travel circuits in India that can help you cover 3 states in just 7 days, because why settle for one vibe when you can experience three. Rajasthan – Gujarat – Madhya Pradesh Route: Udaipur → Ahmedabad → Indore Highlights: Start in Udaipur, the 'City of Lakes,'then head west to Ahmedabad for some UNESCO-tagged old city charm and mouth-watering Gujarati thalis. End your trip in Indore, where MP's street food scene and the nearby Mandu ruins will blow your mind. Must-do: Boat ride in Udaipur, Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Sarafa Bazaar in Indore. Read more: 5 places in the hills that feel like a Yash Raj set Tamil Nadu – Karnataka – Kerala Route: Madurai → Mysuru → Kochi Highlights: Kick things off in Madurai, home to the magnificent Meenakshi Temple and some truly divine dosas. A quick overnight to Mysuru brings you royal palaces, sandalwood, and silk. Wrap up in Kochi's colonial lanes and backwaters, where Portuguese and spice trade history mixes with hipster cafés and Kathakali shows. Must-do: Meenakshi Temple darshan, Mysore Palace, Kochi ferry ride through Fort Kochi. Maharashtra – Goa – Karnataka Route: Mumbai → Goa → Gokarna Highlights: Begin with the chaos and charisma of Mumbai: heritage buildings, Marine Drive, and vada pav. From there, cruise down to Goa for two days of beachy bliss, fish thalis, and sunset scenes. Then hop further south to Gokarna, a laid-back temple town with quiet beaches and fewer crowds. Must-do: Ferry in Mumbai, beach-hopping in Goa, cliff trek from Om Beach to Half Moon Beach in Gokarna. West Bengal – Odisha – Jharkhand Route: Kolkata → Bhubaneswar → Ranchi Highlights: Start in Kolkata with trams, art galleries, and Bengali sweets. A train to Bhubaneswar unlocks ancient temples and Buddhist heritage sites like Dhauli and Udayagiri. Finally, ride into Ranchi for waterfalls, tribal culture, and a breather in the lap of the Chota Nagpur Plateau. Must-do: Victoria Memorial, Lingaraj Temple, Hundru Falls. Read more: These are Visa free for Indian nationals? Check this out for monsoon holidays Uttar Pradesh – Bihar – Jharkhand Route: Varanasi → Bodh Gaya → Deoghar Highlights: Start your journey in Varanasi, one of the world's oldest living cities, where life and death flow together on the ghats of the Ganges. After soaking in the spiritual chaos, head to Bodh Gaya, the peaceful town in Bihar where Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Then cap your trip with a visit to Deoghar, Jharkhand's spiritual hub famous for the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga temple, surrounded by scenic hills and a refreshingly calm vibe. Must-do: Sunset Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi, meditate under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, trek to Tapovan Hills in Deoghar.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Remove Vedan's song: CU panel
Kozhikode: The expert committee appointed by Calicut University vice-chancellor P Raveendran has recommended removing rapper Vedan's (Hirandas Murali) song 'Bhumi Njan Vazhunnidam' from the third semester BA Malayalam syllabus. The panel said comparing the musical aspects of the song with Michael Jackson's 'They Don't Care About Us' would be too demanding for students. The VC had asked the panel to examine the inclusion of the song in the syllabus. The report submitted by former head of Malayalam department MM Basheer to Raveendran said the comparative study of the musical features of Vedan's and Jackson's songs should be removed and replaced with a more suitable topic. The song was part of the Introduction to Comparative Literature course, under the module Puthu Pravanathakal (new trends). BJP-affiliated member AK Anuraj had objected to including Vedan's song in the syllabus and filed a complaint with governor Rajendra Arlekar. The governor sought a report from the VC, who then instructed Basheer to examine the issue. Basheer was also asked to review the inclusion of Kathakali song Ajita Hare... Madhava by Muringur Shankaran Potti and its modern version Ajita Hare by Gouri Lakshmi. The report said that Bhoomi Njan Vazhunnidam is Vedan's lyrical declaration. As the title suggests, the song has a strong rhythmic beat. It refers to political events from different periods in world history, aiming to remind listeners of these moments, even briefly. Some parts contain factual errors and ideological contradictions. Basheer also recommended removing the comparative study of Gouri Lakshmi's song, saying it would be hard for BA Malayalam students without musical training to compare Kathakali and classical music. According to university officials, the report will go to the board of studies, which will decide the future course of action.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Expert suggests removal of Vedan's song from Calicut varsity syllabus
M.M. Basheer, former head of the Department of Malayalam, University of Calicut, who was recently asked by Vice-Chancellor P. Raveendran to look into the complaints around the inclusion of a song by rapper Hirandas Murali (Vedan) in the syllabus of the third semester BA (Malayalam) course, has suggested that the song be removed. A.K. Anuraj, a Syndicate member affiliated to the BJP, had earlier complained to the V-C and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, also the Chancellor of the university, saying that the inclusion of the song in the syllabus was inappropriate. Mr. Basheer pointed out in his report to the V-C that the syllabus did not warrant a comparison of Mr. Murali's song Bhumi Njan Vazhunna Idam and Michael Jackson's song They don't care about us. So, an analysis and evaluation of the literary peculiarities of these songs were irrelevant. He also suggested that a comparative study of Kathakali music and Carnatic music citing singer Gowri Lakshmi's rendition of Ajitha Hare also be removed from the syllabus as it would be tough to ask BA (Malayalam) students not trained in these musical streams to compare them.
