FAQ « « Sarang Cultural Exchange Center Sarang Cultural Exchange Center

General

How should I plan my itinerary?: Plan your itinerary so that you reach here by Sunday afternoon. This will give you enough time to rest, relax and get oriented before beginning your classes on Monday. Also we calculate the fee on Monday to Saturday weekly basis.
Is wifi , internet, or postal service available?: No wifi, but internet facility is available in Pathirippala, which is just 10 minutes away on foot. The nearest post office is at Nagarippuram, another short walk away from the Center. The head post office is at Ottappalam, 20 minutes by bus, where you can avail postal services such as Speed Post for sending international parcels.
What are the items I should bring along?: A flashlight, basic medicines if needed, mosquito repellent. A copy of Lonely Planet or any other guide that will help you in moving around. Notebooks for your classes. Rounded plug converter if you have devices that use square plugs.

Are there mosquitoes?: Yes, there are, especially in the evenings. We have mosquito nets provided in the rooms. It will be a good idea to have a mosquito repellent with you.
Do I stay with you?: Yes, you will be staying with us in the same building. You will be in one of the two bedrooms kept ready for students.
Do you provide laundry service?: No, we don't. However, there is a washing machine, which you can use to wash your cloths. An electric iron is also available for common use.
I am not used with getting up early, will this be a problem?: Well, the rooms are partially sound proof. However every morning at around 5.45AM music starts from the nearby temple. Your sleep might get disturbed by this. After a few days this will gradually fade into the background. Not being an early riser, you might miss the occasional 'birding trips' that we have in the mornings.
What kind of food do you provide?: We cook traditional vegetarian food that we learnt from our parents and families around India. We avoid using hot spices for health reasons.
Where do I sleep?: Though we all prefer to sleep on mats or thin mattresses, your room will be furnished with proper cots and bedding et al.

Are my instructors fluent in English?: Well, most of them are. Everyone knows enough English to instruct you on their subjects. Additionally Anu and Gautham will be there to help you with the theory sessions.
Do I have classes everyday?: You have classes from Monday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday are kept aside for practice, exploration and recreation.
Do others see me when I am in the class?: Yes, since most of the classes are conducted in the open spaces within the building. However, if you are not comfortable with others seeing you training, we can arrange the classes inside one of the rooms.
Do you provide certificates?: No we don't. The Center was established to promote dialogue between cultures through art forms and interaction. We do not believe that certificates serve that purpose. However, if it 's necessary we can always give you a written document stating your experience with us.
What if my instructor doesn't turn up one day?: A compensation class will be arranged for you the next possible day. However, you have to practice the same amount of time in his/her absence
Will you help me to contact art-related people or institutions nearby?: Yes, we will try our best to help you interact with artists and institutions. We are working on a network of similar institutions and people so that traditional arts are preserved in all their diversity.

Is it very remote?: No, it is just half a kilometer away from Pathirippala, on the Palakkad - Ponnani highway. The towns of Palakkad and Ottappalam are 20 minutes away by bus.
Is Nagarippuram a rustic village?: Fancy not! It has all the influence of modernisation that you can find throughout the width and breadth of Kerala. The good news is that many of the good old traditions are still alive here. Like the traditional bamboo fences, traditional residential and commercial buildings, smiling people, old milkmen, mango trees, ponds, paddy fields etc.
Will it be too hot for me?: Not always. It will generally be raining from June to August. The climate will be pleasant with occasional rain from September to February.The summers (March to May) are very hot here. In 2010 summer (March-April) the temperature crossed 41 degree Celsius!

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