VALLARPADATHAMMA FEAST

The feast of Our Lady at Vallarpadam was celebrated from 16th Sept. to 24th Sept. Please click on the photos for a larger view.

A brief history of the church


A glimpse of the interior of the church


Devotees sweeping the ground in front of the church



Devotees standing in line to kiss the statue of Our Lady

Lighting candles

Decorative lighting



Feast flag

TO DAY IS WORLD HEART DAY

Today (27th Sept, 2009) is celebrated as World Heart Day . In this connection, yesterday a function was organised at Durbar Hall grounds and many prominent doctors and other eminent citizens graced the occasiion. Malayalam film actor Jayaram was the chied guest.


The function started with a prayer song.

Lighting of the ceremonial lamp.

Doctors who spoke on the occasion gave several tips to keep the heart healthy. Some of the main things they listed out are as follows:

Do not smoke.
Avoid fatty and oily foods.
Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits.
Exercise every day or at leaSt go for long walks.
Avoid over eating.

Prevention is better than cure. The cost of treatment for heart ailments is very high.

There was a musical performance and we were treated to several old Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi songs. Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure. Please click on the photos for a large lovely view.


Jayaram singing a Malayalam song.




Heart is a favorite word and we use it in connection with so many things. Sweet heart, heart throb, heart ache,heart strings, heart wrenching, brave heart and so on. Let us take care of the heart otherwise it will become a problem heart, a sick heart and heart attack.

MICHAEL CELEBRATES ONAM!

A fancy dress competition was held near my house in connection with Onam festivities. You can see some of the participants. Michael Jackson look alike was the biggest attraction. He enthralled us with his dancing.Please click on the photos for a large lovely view.

ODISSI DANCE

In India practically every state specialises in their own style of classical dancing. In the state where I live, we have Mohiniattam, Kathakali and Otamthullal. Unfortunately I could not attend these performances.

What I am going to show case today is Odissi dance which originated in Orissa state, in eastern India. Rukmani Sahoo and her team performed for Onam celebrations.


It is particularly distinguished from other classical Indian dance forms by the importance it places upon the tribhangi (literally: three parts break), the independent movement of head, chest and pelvis, and upon the basic square stance known as chauka.

IN HONOR OF MY YOUNGEST FRIEND, LINNEA COE

This is a classical dance performance by Malayalam film actress Navvya Nambisan in connection with the Onam feastival. I am posting some photos for your viewing pleasure.


This post is in honor of my youngest friend, Linnea, aged 14, from LIFE IN THE WORLD. She is an amazing writer with fantastic clarity of thought, deep insight into life, abiding trust in God and a spell binding faith in her own capabilities.

In one of her comments on my comment, this is what she had to say:

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Hello Joseph!

Thank you for your kind words to my blog. It is very uplifting. As to the quote you posted by A J Cronin, I agree completely. Life is EXACTLY like a maze. Each turn or twist is different and unique Either leading you to a dead end or another fork in the road. But one thing they have in common is the fact that each one is your choice.

I am an excessive video game player and in the game I am in now,
there is a helper who uncovers hidden obstacles for you. Click on something using her and she tells you about it. Just like this character, God is our guide showing us things that we cannot see. Helping us decide which is bad and which is good.

The only thing predictable about life is it's unpredictability.

When I lose sight of God's love, I have but to close my eyes and free fall into the abyss of my worries to see that he has already caught me.

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Needless to say, I was immensely delighted with this reply.




Kindly visit Linnea. Your words of encouragement, words of wisdom, support, motivations, and advice will surely help her to become a great success in life.

God bless you all.