The best way to know a culture is through its Art, Languages, Cuisines, Architecture or Literature. Here, we try to create such an opportunity for the cultural explorers from around the world. You can explore art forms, languages or cuisines in our Center. Some of them share a common tradition while some has a unique set of practices. All the art forms begin with a salutation. For music it is simply singing ‘Sa, Pa, Sa’ (C, G,C) while dance forms have body movements and a few steps for the salutation. Also there are stories, tips and little philosophy around each art form, cuisine, or language. Knowing an item is opening a treasure of interesting knowledge.
Your teachers are independent performing artists. They are not the staff in the Center. Some of them are busy performers, some teach in prominent institutions, some have their own art schools and there are a few teachers who are working in other fields. They all share the common interest of loving their art, no matter what. All of them know enough English to teach you the art form, but don’t expect all of them to be fluent in English. (You can help them with their English while you are here) For the teacher who can’t manage well in English, we cover the stories, tips and philosophy part. In some classes we will be present to help you with your questions or to help the teacher with their explanations.
Classes can be compensated
We intimate your teacher about your intended stay with us in advance so that they can adjust the classes according to their schedule. If they miss a class they compensate it on another day or on a weekend. Sometimes we feel that every working day has to have a session on your chosen subject so as not to loose a day from your selected few days with us. So we will have an activity, theory session, story session, visiting a place related with your subject or monitored practice session if there is an unexpected off for your teacher.
Subjects on demand
The following are the subjects offered here at present. If you don’t find the subject you are looking for listed here, please fell free to contact us. If you let us know well in advance, we can try to get a teacher for your favourite subject.
Hindi is spoken in most parts of north India. Every region has a different way of speaking Hindi. However if you know the standard style, you should be able to manage in all the regions. It has a nice ring and quiet easy to learn, even if you have no Indian language background. Influenced by ...
Hindi is spoken in most parts of north India. Every region has a different way of speaking Hindi. However if you know the standard style, you should be able to manage in all the regions.
It has a nice ring and quiet easy to learn, even if you have no Indian language background. Influenced by Urdu, the language of the poets, Hindi has a rich wealth of literature.
The Constitution of India declares Hindi in the Devanagari script as the official language of India. The Constitution of India has stipulated the usage of Hindi and English to be the two languages of communication for the Central Government. Most of government documentation is prepared in three languages of English, Hindi, and the official state language.
You will learn conversational Hindi with the back up of grammar and structure. The structure of most Indian languages are similar. However, they are different from English. Naturally lessons on structure will go a long way. There will be a lot to listen to (since we want you to have a fair understanding on the accent) The accent is important because a mere difference of a letter can change the whole meaning of a word. You will also watch movies since they can teach you a lot of dialogues (that we use in daily life). To apply what you learn, you will be making stories, speeches, dramas or poems in Hindi.
Listen to one small speech in Hindi
Duration One month
Basic conversations, tenses, questions, negative sentences etc. By the end of the month you will be able to manage in a Hindi situation. Two months
Advanced lessons on structure and grammar, creating your own conversations with we correcting them, Understanding Hindi movie songs Three months or more
Learn to read and write Hindi, Learn the Urdu words and Urdu influenced words in Hindi
What you should bring If you have any favourite Hindi movies, you can bring them.An MP3 player (for listening to songs and dialogues)
Faculty
AnuradhaShe spent most of her childhood in the north India. Naturally Hindi is her second mother tongue after Malayalam. Fluent in English and knows all intrigue ways of Grammar and grammatical terms, she makes learning Hindi an easy experience.
One of the most popular accompaniment instruments from India, Tabla has reached far and wide as the Ustads (maestros) brought it to the world stage. Tabla has a unique individuality that enables it to subtly follow a song in the background like a silent river with tiny eddies now and then. When it comes to ...
One of the most popular accompaniment instruments from India, Tabla has reached far and wide as the Ustads (maestros) brought it to the world stage. Tabla has a unique individuality that enables it to subtly follow a song in the background like a silent river with tiny eddies now and then. When it comes to the front stage as a solo instrument, the boldness catches you off balance. At times it drenches you by raining treble notes and sometimes it awakens you from the trance by the thunder of the bass. Learning Tabla is learning magic of fingers.
One of the greatest reliefs of being a Tabla student is that you manage to produce some nice sounds from the instrument on the first day itself. Practice is a must. At first you might find your hands getting tired quickly. As you progress the tiredness will go away and playing Tabla becomes a joy.
Listen to the magic fingers of Ustad Zakir Hussain
Duration Relax! Take one or two months for this heavenly instrument. It is rewarding and you need to practice a lot. With One month (with a lot of practice) you will be able to know a few combinations. You should be able to play a small piece. Two months should make you able to play Tabla as accompaniment for a song or two.
Plan to be a pro? Contact us immediately! :)
Here is an experience that is relaxing and rewarding at the same time! Mural Painting is believed to be advanced from the ritualistic ‘Kalamezhuthu’, drawing forms of Goddesses with colour powders. The early murals are found in caves, palaces and temples scattered around south India. Traditionally the artists used natural colours, brush made out of ...
Here is an experience that is relaxing and rewarding at the same time!
Mural Painting is believed to be advanced from the ritualistic ‘Kalamezhuthu’, drawing forms of Goddesses with colour powders. The early murals are found in caves, palaces and temples scattered around south India. Traditionally the artists used natural colours, brush made out of a grass and a surface prepared with lime, tender coconut water and other similar material. The paintings are inspired by ‘Dhyana Shlokas’ or the verses describing the religious texts such as Bhagavad geetha or Mahabharatha(m). The characters such as Gods, Goddesses, demons, ‘Yekshis’ or humans appear in a very stylised form in the murals. The curly style is followed even in the sky, trees, flowers, animals and other decorations filled as the backdrop of every painting.
You will start with drawing different types of eyes, ornaments used on the charecters, flowers and so on. This initial stage is about mastering the components of the paintings. Later you will learn to wash them with yellow and draw the lines with red, then fill spaces with green or red and finally finish with black lines. The shading is an interesting process. In a mural painting class time passes in a jiffy. You will be using pencil, paper, canvas, water colour or acrylic colours for the lessons.
As with every Indian art form Mural Painting is also about improvisation. Once you master the technique, who knows, you might have a different perspective on what you paint as an artist. We know artists who have adapted mural style for their paintings. Though the subject can be a modern village of Kerala, the style remains traditional mural!
Duration One week
You will directly go into lines and shapes. By the end of the week you will be comfortably drawing designs, ornaments, eyes etc. If you are doing good, you might even start some of the colours.
One month
Start to learn faces, body parts and by the end of the month, you should be able to work on a painting with one charecter and a few decorations.
Two months or more
More details and practice, advanced techniques on shading, lines and colouring. A visit to a real mural painting site such as a temple or palace. The teacher will be there with you to explain the painting, historic and social aspects of the paintings that you see. If everything goes well, maybe even a chance to be part of a live project where your teacher or our friends are involved in.
What you should bring We provide all material for the sessions. If you have any preference on pencils, you may bring them.
Difficulty Fairly easy
Faculty
AbhiAbhi hails from a family who always encouraged his interest in arts. He is a senior student from the Mammiyoor Institute of Mural Painting, Guruvayoor. He has combined his knowledge of human anatomy and modern drawing measurements to create the Gods and Goddesses in his murals. Unlike some contemporary mural artists who fail to notice the lost originality while trying out new fusions, Abhi adds beauty to his paintings without loosing the originality or the style of the traditional Mural technique.
He lives in Trichur district of Kerala with his parents, wife and son.
AdarshAdarsh studied Mural Painting in the prestigious institute of Mural Painting at Mammiyoor, Guruvayoor, Kerala. After being part of many projects in Kerala, now he works with the Archeological Survey of India in restoring, exploring and studying ancient paintings, murals and even the mysterious shapes etched and sketched on ancient cave surfaces.
If you have listened to Carnatic music concerts or watched Indian classical dance Bharatanatyam, you have listened to the resonating rhythem of Mridangam. Its the major accompaniment of Classical music and dance of south India. Believed to be invented by ‘Nandikeshan’, Lord Shiva’s assistant, Mridangam was used for Shiva Thandavam (the extreme dance trance sometimes ...
If you have listened to Carnatic music concerts or watched Indian classical dance Bharatanatyam, you have listened to the resonating rhythem of Mridangam. Its the major accompaniment of Classical music and dance of south India. Believed to be invented by ‘Nandikeshan’, Lord Shiva’s assistant, Mridangam was used for Shiva Thandavam (the extreme dance trance sometimes Lord Shiva enters into).
Compared to Tabla, the popular percussion instrument from Hindusthani music, Mridangam demands rigorous practice. As they say, you have to bring out the notes with practice. Learning Mridangam needs a lot of patience, practice and listening. Don’t get disappointed if you don’t manage to make the notes sound the way you want it. Keep practicing, they will come out. There is a point where the notes start to come out proper and you will not even realise what you had been doing wrong. Once you pass this face, there is no going back!
If you want to take Mridangam serious, take some time every year so that you can master the instrument.
Kerala Tourism dot org has a beautiful video on How Mridangam is made!
Duration A minimum of three months. If you just want to get a feel of it, maybe you can learn the 'Konnakkol' or the notes of Mridangam. (You learn to orally say the notes as if you are playing them on the Mridangam)
Difficulty Difficult, need to practice, practice and practice before it becomes easy.
Faculty
Vasudeva MenonA mature and experienced teacher, Shri. Vasudeva Menon has been performing and teaching Mridangam for more than 30 years. Based near Palakkad town, he was very active in Carnatic Music concerts and Bharatanatyam performances in his young age. One can see that age has only strengthened his fingers as his fingers fly over the instrument when he plays.
El vientre reglas de la mente (The belly rules the mind) ~Spanish Proverb Kitchen is the greatest laboratory of all! The moment we discovered what fire can do, the experiments started and it is still going on! Look at the diversity of food we have even in a small area! Kitchen is not just about ...
El vientre reglas de la mente (The belly rules the mind) ~Spanish Proverb
Kitchen is the greatest laboratory of all! The moment we discovered what fire can do, the experiments started and it is still going on! Look at the diversity of food we have even in a small area! Kitchen is not just about preparing food, Its about preservation, storage, prevention of pests, preparing home remedies…
Hence our cooking classes are focused on how to cook health in kitchen (without compromising on taste of course!) The curriculum includes the pros and cons of using different types of vessels to sustainable cooking practices. Activities include visiting the market, processing units and if it is the farming season a trip to our natural farm where everything we grow are chemical free!
Cooking is fun, cooking health is rediscovering fun!
Duration We can customise the duration according to your schedule. However we suggest a minimum of one week.
One month will be a good idea and you can learn a lot more dishes and techniques if you prefer to stay for two months. And if you choose to stay longer, you will have to start teaching us about cooking from your culture or country! ;)
What you should bring Apron if you use one. Cotton cloth while working in the kitchen.
Kathakali is the ancient theater form of Kerala. Inspired by Kutiyattam, the Sanskrit drama and Ramanattam Kathakali has come a long way from both of them. Kathakali is one of the rare art forms which includes a diversity of other art forms. It has music, rhythm, painting, wood carving, carpentry, martial arts and what not! ...
Kathakali is the ancient theater form of Kerala. Inspired by Kutiyattam, the Sanskrit drama and Ramanattam Kathakali has come a long way from both of them. Kathakali is one of the rare art forms which includes a diversity of other art forms.
It has music, rhythm, painting, wood carving, carpentry, martial arts and what not! Its a world of diversity!
The first lessons start with foot work, basically stamping the ground in rhythm prompted my the master. Though you might find it a bit tiring on the first day, be assured, you will be carried away by the magic of the body movements, eye exercises and other lessons. Its a rewarding experience to know even a little of this ancient theater form.
Duration One week
The salutation, foot works, eye exercises, expressions and if time permits some body movements One to two months
First of all, you get more time to enhance all the above said lessons. Body movements, Mudras ( the building blocks of the Kathakali gesture language ) and advanced excercises.
Three months or more
First of all, we understand that you are serious about Kathakali! Addition to the above said you will have additional body movements, eye-body coordination lessons, and if you do well, you might even start working on the mudra language!
What you should bring Loose fitting Pyjamas and T-Shirts. Mind you it gets a lot of sweaty during the sessions. Carrying a few pairs is always a good idea.
Difficulty Moderate
Faculty
Pradeep KumarInspired by performances at the local temple in his childhood, Pradeep started learning Kathakali at the young age of 12 from the prestigious Kerala Kalamandalam. He has been the recipient of many coveted awards for upcoming talent, like the Sangeet Natak Academy award for the young artists. His talent and pleasant nature combined with enthusiasm for teaching make his classes fulfilling and enjoyable.
Kathakali uses one of the most elaborate make-up techniques and costume. It takes hours to finish Kathakali makeup. Kathakali make-up artists have innovated new techniques and modernised some aspects of the same. However, most of the colours used in Kathakali make-up are natural. Your first lessons will be on a mud pot (instead of someone’s ...
Kathakali uses one of the most elaborate make-up techniques and costume. It takes hours to finish Kathakali makeup. Kathakali make-up artists have innovated new techniques and modernised some aspects of the same. However, most of the colours used in Kathakali make-up are natural.
Your first lessons will be on a mud pot (instead of someone’s face)
Duration A two weeks' course should give you the feel of the technique. It takes a lot of practice to balance your hands while creating the designs on the round surface. If you are interested in learning more about preparing the colours and bases choose to stay for at least eight weeks.
What you should bring Well, we would suggest you to come prepared with a mind full of Kathakali faces. Make a collection of Kathakali face photos, watch Kathakali videos or watch real performances so that you get a comprehensive idea of different styles of Kathakali make-up.
Oh, a drawing book will be a good idea too!
Kathakali Music is the voice of Kathakali. It is the singer who describes the scenes and present the dialogues for the characters. If you have watched a Kathakali performance, you must have noticed the role of music and rhythm in Kathakali, especially the involvement of the singer. Kathakali music belongs to the Sopana category of ...
Kathakali Music is the voice of Kathakali. It is the singer who describes the scenes and present the dialogues for the characters. If you have watched a Kathakali performance, you must have noticed the role of music and rhythm in Kathakali, especially the involvement of the singer.
Kathakali music belongs to the Sopana category of music. It is more rhythm oriented so as to enhance the acting on the stage.
Compared to Carnatic Music, Kathakali Music is more about improvisation than following a structure.
Duration One week is goo enough to get a good introduction to the subject. Basically you will hear songs from your teacher and if possible from performances. There will be a little theory and history of this branch of music. You will not be singing if you choose one week course.
You should be ready to dedicate at least four weeks if you want to try something out.
What you should bring A recording device, notebook, pen
Faculty
Ram MohanA budding star in the Kathakali music scenario of Kerala, Ram Mohan shines in the unlimited skies of both Carnatic and Kathakali music. Beginning his musical life under his father's guidance, Ram mohan went on to specialize in Kathakali music. He has also trained as a Kathakali actor. Having a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and one in education he now teaches mathematics at a government school in Palakkad, giving all his spare time to mark his presence on almost all Kathakali stages in Palakkad. He has sung with Kottakkal Madhu for an album on Kathakali music for Invis Multimedia.
His wife Meera, who herself is a musician, and he are proud parents of a little boy.
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. It is one of two main sub-genres of Indian classical music that evolved from ancient Hindu traditions; the other sub-genre ...
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. It is one of two main sub-genres of Indian classical music that evolved from ancient Hindu traditions; the other sub-genre being Hindustani music, which emerged as a distinct form because of Persian and Islamic influences in North India. In contrast to Hindustani music, the main emphasis in Carnatic music is on vocal music; most compositions are written to be sung, and even when played on instruments, they are meant to be performed in gayaki (singing) style.
Duration One week : Introduction to Carnatic Music, Styles, Gurus, Kritis, Notes, Shruthi, Ragas, Rhythm
Listening to various artists, live performances if it is the season,
You will not be trying out anything.
One Month : All above said + Basic practice notes, if you are good enough one of the first Geethams.
Five classes for the first week. Three classes a week from second to fourth week.
Practice everyday morning for a minimum of one hour.
You will be accepted as a student by the Guru in the traditional way of offering dakshina to your Guru.
What you should bring
A good digital recorder (for practice)
Note book
Pen
A shruti box (can be bought after you reach the center)
Faculty
Ram MohanA budding star in the Kathakali music scenario of Kerala, Ram Mohan shines in the unlimited skies of both Carnatic and Kathakali music. Beginning his musical life under his father's guidance, Ram mohan went on to specialize in Kathakali music. He has also trained as a Kathakali actor. Having a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and one in education he now teaches mathematics at a government school in Palakkad, giving all his spare time to mark his presence on almost all Kathakali stages in Palakkad. He has sung with Kottakkal Madhu for an album on Kathakali music for Invis Multimedia.
His wife Meera, who herself is a musician, and he are proud parents of a little boy.
JasminJasmin's family is her support, it is their whole-hearted encouragement that sustains her career in music. As a child Jasmin started learning classical dance forms such as Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattom, and during her school days she excelled in performances and competitions. Gradually her interest in Carnatic music blossomed and as she realized she wanted to focus on music, she took both bachelor's and master's degrees in Carnatic music. And went on to do her MPhil as a first step towards a doctoral degree.
She has worked as a visiting faculty in Kerala Kalamandalam, the prestige art institute of Kerala. She teaches privately and has numerous students in Kerala and abroad too. She herself continues her study under veteran singers to widen her horizons and deepen her knowledge.
Her life is partnered with Mohammed Sulfi, who is a violin enthusiast and music lover and their daughter, Tamanna.
The ancient Indian culture of Yoga presented to us by the sages is based on essential human requirements, not only to gain physical health but also for the achievement of higher aims of life. The World Health Organization defines health as physical, mental, intellectual, social and spiritual health. Yoga is the only way to achieve ...
The ancient Indian culture of Yoga presented to us by the sages is based on essential human requirements, not only to gain physical health but also for the achievement of higher aims of life. The World Health Organization defines health as physical, mental, intellectual, social and spiritual health. Yoga is the only way to achieve such holistic health. Practice of a Yogic lifestyle and doing our duties without expecting benefit, will easily help us towards this. Yoga just as the name says is the union or harmony of our dimensions and keeps mentally and physically stable. We need this to keep ourselves free from stress in this fast-paced life.
The ultimate spiritual benefit of Yoga is the realization that we and everything else in the universe are part of the same energy. The world needs this because then there would be no more wars based on differences of caste, race, sex or wealth.
Check out the Announcements link to keep updated about the dates for Intensive and Teacher’s Training Course at the Center.
The classes will be lead by Swami Brahmanand (Saji Ramaswamy), master at erstwhile Vijnana Kalavedi, whose vast experience and learning has taken thousands of students all over the world into the mysteries of Yoga.
Faculty
Swami BrahmanandYoungest among his siblings, Swami spent his childhood exploring books on spirituality and teachings of great Gurus. Naturally at a very young age spirituality beckoned him. Leaving all that binds body, mind and spirit, he left home looking for wisdom.
Destiny took him to many masters, many ashrams, even caves far up in the Himalayas. Returning home after twelve long years, he continued to learn and began to teach Yoga. He taught Yoga at the erstwhile Vijnana Kalavedi Center where he reached out to hundreds of students from around the world with his unique brand of teaching and spirituality.
A budding star in the Kathakali music scenario of Kerala, Ram Mohan shines in the unlimited skies of both Carnatic and Kathakali music. Beginning his musical life under his father's guidance, Ram mohan went on to specialize in Kathakali music. He has also trained as a Kathakali actor. Having a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and one in education he now teaches mathematics at a government school in Palakkad, giving all his spare time to mark his presence on almost all Kathakali stages in Palakkad. He has sung with Kottakkal Madhu for an album on Kathakali music for Invis Multimedia.
His wife Meera, who herself is a musician, and he are proud parents of a little boy.
Jasmin's family is her support, it is their whole-hearted encouragement that sustains her career in music. As a child Jasmin started learning classical dance forms such as Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattom, and during her school days she excelled in performances and competitions. Gradually her interest in Carnatic music blossomed and as she realized she wanted to focus on music, she took both bachelor's and master's degrees in Carnatic music. And went on to do her MPhil as a first step towards a doctoral degree.
She has worked as a visiting faculty in Kerala Kalamandalam, the prestige art institute of Kerala. She teaches privately and has numerous students in Kerala and abroad too. She herself continues her study under veteran singers to widen her horizons and deepen her knowledge.
Her life is partnered with Mohammed Sulfi, who is a violin enthusiast and music lover and their daughter, Tamanna.