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	<title>rocksea and sarah &#187; kerala</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.rocksea.org/tag/kerala/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.rocksea.org</link>
	<description>Experiments with prakriti; our own &#38; life around. For educational, environmental &#38; entertainment purposes.</description>
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		<title>cemeteries from around the world</title>
		<link>http://www.rocksea.org/world-cemeteries</link>
		<comments>http://www.rocksea.org/world-cemeteries#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:50:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>rocksea</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[photography]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[all souls day]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[alps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[aosta]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bologna]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cemetery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[certosa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[future]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[genealogy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[greece]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hakodate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hokkaido]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[island of rhodes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[italian cemetery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[italy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[japan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[japanese cemetery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kadamattom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kerala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lizard]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[past]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rhodes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[samurai]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[turkish cemetery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[valsavarenche]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rocksea.org/?p=2876</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Cemeteries &#8211; they remind us of our forgotten past, and hint us on our imminent future.
Wherever we go, if time and distance permits, we try to make a visit to the local cemeteries. Cemeteries around the world have distinct styles, and talks a lot about the people of that region. They have a lot in common too&#8230;

With [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Cemeteries &#8211; they remind us of our forgotten past, and hint us on our imminent future.</p>
<p>Wherever we go, if time and distance permits, we try to make a visit to the local cemeteries. Cemeteries around the world have distinct styles, and talks a lot about the people of that region. They have a lot in common too&#8230;<br />
<span id="more-2876"></span><br />
With all due respects to the life that passed by, here are a few from our collection of &gt;&gt; <a title="Cemeteries from Around the World" href="http://www.rocksea.org/images/cemeteries/">Cemeteries from Around the World</a> &lt;&lt;</p>
<p><img title="Cemetery at the Alps: at Valsavarenche, Aosta, Italy" src="http://www.rocksea.org/images/cemeteries/slides/cemetery_alps_aosta_italy_003.jpg" alt="Cemetery at the Alps: at Valsavarenche, Aosta, Italy" width="520" height="350" /><br />
<span style="color: #888888;">Cemetery at the Alps: at Valsavarenche, Aosta, Italy</span></p>
<p><img title="Turkish Cemetery at the Island of Rhodes, Greece" src="http://www.rocksea.org/images/cemeteries/slides/turkish_cemetery_rhodes_greece_001.jpg" alt="Turkish Cemetery at the Island of Rhodes, Greece" width="520" height="350" /><br />
<span style="color: #888888;">Turkish Cemetery at the Island of Rhodes, Greece</span></p>
<p><img title="Cemetery at Kadamattom, Kerala, India" src="http://www.rocksea.org/images/cemeteries/slides/kadamattom_cemetery_kerala_001.jpg" alt="Cemetery at Kadamattom, Kerala, India" width="520" height="350" /><br />
<span style="color: #888888;">Cemetery at Kadamattom, Kerala, India</span></p>
<p><img title="Samurai [Nanbu Clan] Cemetery at Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan" src="http://www.rocksea.org/images/cemeteries/slides/japanese_samurai_cemetery_hakodate_002.jpg" alt="Samurai [Nanbu Clan] Cemetery at Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan" width="520" height="391" /><br />
<span style="color: #888888;">Samurai [of the Nanbu Clan] Cemetery at Hakodate in Hokkaido, Japan</span></p>
<p> <br />
Snapshots from the famous European Cemetery at Certosa, Bologna, Italy, which have many artistic and environmental graves:</p>
<p><img title="Cemetery Certosa, Bologna, Italy" src="http://www.rocksea.org/images/cemeteries/slides/cemetery_bologna_italy_001.jpg" alt="Cemetery Certosa, Bologna, Italy" width="520" height="345" /><br />
Past fuels the Present.</p>
<p><img title="Lizard at Cemetery Certosa, Bologna, Italy" src="http://www.rocksea.org/images/cemeteries/slides/cemetery_bologna_italy_002.jpg" alt="Lizard at Cemetery Certosa, Bologna, Italy" width="520" height="350" /><br />
An italian lizard and its family have its home here.</p>
<p><img title="Lizard at Cemetery Certosa, Bologna, Italy" src="http://www.rocksea.org/images/cemeteries/slides/cemetery_bologna_italy_003.jpg" alt="Lizard at Cemetery Certosa, Bologna, Italy" width="520" height="333" /><br />
Lizard among the Succulents on the grave.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>and am sure you would like this photograph taken by Sarah, titled &#8220;Resurrected&#8221;:<br />
<img title="Cemetery at the Alps: at Valsavarenche, Aosta, Italy" src="http://www.rocksea.org/images/cemeteries/slides/cemetery_alps_aosta_italy_002.jpg" alt="Cemetery at the Alps: at Valsavarenche, Aosta, Italy" width="520" height="350" /><br />
<span style="color: #888888;">Cemetery at the Alps: at Valsavarenche, Aosta, Italy</span></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>33</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>sri krishna jayanthi and the legends of parana kananam</title>
		<link>http://www.rocksea.org/sri-krishna-jayanthi-bharananganam</link>
		<comments>http://www.rocksea.org/sri-krishna-jayanthi-bharananganam#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2009 05:30:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>rocksea</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[india]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kerala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[photography]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[alphonsa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[autorikshaw]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bharananganam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chapel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[church]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[communal harmony]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[festivals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[festivals of india]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[guruvayoor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[guruvayur]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[jayanti]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kerala history]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[krishna]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[origin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pandavas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pilgrim centre]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[radha]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[religion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sree krishna]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sri krishna]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sri krishna jayanthi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sri krishna jayanti]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[temple]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tradition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[unnikannan]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rocksea.org/?p=2414</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Unnikannans

Young krishnas playing the flute

Shy gopikas&#8230;

Unnikannan in an autorikshaw

Sri Krishna Jayanthi is celebrated as a festival, reminiscing the birthday of Krishna. This year it is on 13-14 August 2009 in north India, but on 11 September 2009 in Kerala, due to the differences in the regional calendars. The images above are from the Sri Krishna [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Unnikannans</p>
<p><a title="sri krishna jayanthi at bharananganam, kerala" href="http://www.rocksea.org/images/kerala/slides/sri_krishna_jayanthi_002.php"><img title="krishna, sri krishna jayanthi at bharananganam, kerala" src="http://www.rocksea.org/images/kerala/slides/sri_krishna_jayanthi_002.jpg" alt="unnikannans, sri krishna jayanthi at bharananganam, kerala" width="520" height="350" /></a></p>
<p>Young krishnas playing the flute</p>
<p><a title="sri krishna jayanthi at bharananganam, kerala" href="http://www.rocksea.org/images/kerala/slides/sri_krishna_jayanthi_005.php"><img title="krishna, sri krishna jayanthi at bharananganam, kerala" src="http://www.rocksea.org/images/kerala/slides/sri_krishna_jayanthi_005.jpg" alt="gopalans, sri krishna jayanthi at bharananganam, kerala" width="520" height="350" /></a></p>
<p>Shy gopikas&#8230;</p>
<p><a title="sri krishna jayanthi at bharananganam, kerala" href="http://www.rocksea.org/images/kerala/slides/sri_krishna_jayanthi_004.php"><img title="radha, sri krishna jayanthi at bharananganam, kerala" src="http://www.rocksea.org/images/kerala/slides/sri_krishna_jayanthi_004.jpg" alt="gopikas, sri krishna jayanthi at bharananganam, kerala" width="520" height="350" /></a></p>
<p>Unnikannan in an autorikshaw</p>
<p><a title="unnikannan in autorikshaw" href="http://www.rocksea.org/images/kerala/slides/sri_krishna_jayanthi_001.php"><img title="unnikannan in autorikshaw" src="http://www.rocksea.org/images/kerala/slides/sri_krishna_jayanthi_001.jpg" alt="unnikannan in autorikshaw" width="520" height="350" /></a></p>
<p>Sri Krishna Jayanthi is celebrated as a festival, reminiscing the birthday of Krishna. This year it is on 13-14 August 2009 in north India, but on 11 September 2009 in Kerala, due to the differences in the regional calendars. The images above are from the Sri Krishna Jayanthi of 2007, at the Sree Krishna Swamy Temple located close to my home, at Bharananganam in Kottayam, Kerala, India.</p>
<p>Few people know that the place name Bharananganam itself -probably- owes its origin to the legends associated with the Sree Krishna Swamy Temple. The temple is revered as very ancient, and legend is that the Pandavas stayed here for a while during their <em>vanavasa</em> (forest exile). Pandavas conducted their <em>&#8216;Parana veedal&#8217;</em> (breaking the fast or vow) ritual here to end their <em>vratha</em> (vow). Since the place was used for <em>&#8216;Parana veedal&#8217;</em>, it came to be known as <em><strong>Parana kananam</strong>,</em> as <em>kananam</em> in malayalam is forest. Later it evolved as <strong>Bharananganam</strong>. The presence of the temple has also given Bharananganam a synonym, <em>Dakshina Guruvayoor</em>. <em>Dakshina</em> is south and <em>Guruvayoor</em> in Thrissur district is famous for its Krishna Temple.</p>
<p>So, that is another face of Bharananganam, which is more popular these days as a christian pilgrim centre - of St. Alphonsa, whose mortal remains are kept in the Alphonsa Chapel near the St. Mary&#8217;s Church. Based on some historical accounts, I would say that this church stands as a symbol of harmony as the church was found (it is said, a 1000 years before) with the assistance of the local community including aids from the nearby Sree Krishna Swamy Temple.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>9</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>a practical guide to genealogical research in kerala</title>
		<link>http://www.rocksea.org/practical-guide-genealogy-research-kerala</link>
		<comments>http://www.rocksea.org/practical-guide-genealogy-research-kerala#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:17:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>rocksea</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[india]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kerala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ancestors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ancestry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[archaeology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blood groups]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cousins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family history]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family history book]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family networks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family tree]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[genealogy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[genealogy database]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[generations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grand parents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[relatives]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[remembrance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[roots]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rocksea.org/?p=1497</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Keralites are often proud of their family ties and intricate family networks. This includes remembering the names and details of their grandfather&#8217;s second cousin&#8217;s wife&#8217;s brother&#8217;s  fourth son&#8217;s third daughter and all those in between.
Keralites are also proud of their ever expanding diaspora (both overseas and within India). However, the latter factor often counteracts the former one. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Keralites are often proud of their family ties and intricate family networks. This includes remembering the names and details of their grandfather&#8217;s second cousin&#8217;s wife&#8217;s brother&#8217;s  fourth son&#8217;s third daughter and all those in between.</p>
<p>Keralites are also proud of their ever expanding diaspora (both overseas and within India). However, the latter factor often counteracts the former one. While moving on to expanding horizons we often, naturally, forget about the family ties and the networks.</p>
<p><strong>Genealogy as a window into ourselves</strong></p>
<p>Genealogy (<em><span lang="el-Latn" xml:lang="el-Latn">genea</span></em>, &#8220;descent&#8221;; and <em><span lang="el-Latn" xml:lang="el-Latn">logos</span></em>, &#8220;knowledge&#8221;) is the study of ancestry and family history. More than just a peep into who are our cousins, relatives, and forefathers, a genealogy database is a window into ourselves as well. History is important because it tells the story of how today&#8217;s modern world has been shaped. Just like that, a history of your ancestors tells you how you and your immediate world has been shaped.</p>
<p><strong>Why genealogy? Need and reason.</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Know ourselves through our roots, achieve a better sense of identity.</li>
<li>Know our ancestors, the life and situations through which the present you and your relatives were &#8220;synthesized&#8221;.</li>
<li>Know our present relatives, connect and communicate with them.</li>
<li>Medical history. Lets you know if there is possibility of a particular medical situation passing through the lineage, and take proper precautions.</li>
<li>Cultural history. It is like a micro census spanning several generations, and gives an idea of the society through ages and its cultural heritage.</li>
</ol>
<p>These are some and there may be a lot more reasons for each person to pursue a research on their own family tree. Whatever may be the reason, such a work will eventually provide an emotional gratification to you. A lot of far-off relatives will surely come up to you with smiles on their faces and may remain your friends for ever. If you travel to a new place, there may be a distant relative or a friend of a relative who can host you. There may be a doctor relative who may be able to give valuable advice to you on specific cases or a lawyer who can advice you on legal matters, who knows!</p>
<p><strong>Difficulties</strong></p>
<p>Genealogy research is a long term, time consuming effort. Apart from that, several other aspects add to the difficulties.</p>
<ol>
<li>People die. There are lots of stories and information about your family which you will never get to know because the grandparent who could tell that is no more. I still dont know my grandfather&#8217;s sister&#8217;s name and nobody in my family knows that.</li>
<li>Lack of interest. Some of your relatives may be extremely happy to help you and will give you a lot of information. However, some may be reserved in helping you out.</li>
<li>Lack of records. In Kerala, proper and consistant recording of events started very late. Most (not all) of the palm leaf records available are from the years 1700 ~ 1950. Records on paper, are mostly from year 1850 onwards.
<p style="text-indent: 2em;">These dates are &#8220;recent&#8221; for genealogical purposes. Also, it is not necessary that there are any records on your family even close to those years. Probably you may have written records which can date back to 30-50 years&#8230;!! Even the archaeology department at travancore started in 1891 and the kerala state archives department in 1962. Still, it is possible to search for the records and details among existing sources.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>Sources</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Family history books (kudumba charithram). It is possible that one of the families of your 4 grand parents have a family history book or a collection of records. It is also possible that a family history book not directly connected to you is connected to some of your relatives.</li>
<li>Church records usually contains register books and records with information on birth, christening, marriage, death, burial and headstones.</li>
<li>Tomb stones. Be aware that cemeteries are often relocated and the current location of tombstones could be misleading.</li>
<li>Internet. If you had an ancestor/relative who is popular, it is possible that you can extract a lot of information from the  internet. Currently there are a lot of communication networks which help in getting to know about your existing relatives. Church and congregation websites may give information about priests and nuns in your extended family.</li>
<li>Newspaper clippings. Newspapers provide a valuable source in forms of obituaries, marriage announcements, other news, and even recipes by family members.</li>
<li>Regional history books. There may be books regarding the history of your region. These books could give an insight into the environment, lifestyle,  culture and traditions during the period of your ancestors. They may also have one or two sentences to tell about your forefathers or your family.</li>
<li>Your immediate family and your relatives &#8220;could be&#8221; the best of the sources!</li>
</ol>
<p>Reliability matters. Always cross check the information you got with other sources. Also, always attach the source along with the information. This will tell you or others where you got the information from.</p>
<p><strong>What to collect? Never too much.</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Basic info: names,dates, place and contact details like phone, email.
<p style="text-indent: 2em;">Names include official names, nicknames, christened names, married names and all other alternate names. <a title="kerala christian names" href="http://www.rocksea.org/kerala-christian-names-origin-english-equivalents">Kerala christian names</a>! They appear in all styles and forms. A common practice among the kerala christians is to have the given name as first name and father&#8217;s name as last name. Though everyone has their own family names, many don&#8217;t use it with their names officially. My suggestion is to always use the family name as surname, in a genealogical record. Such a naming convention will provide easy identification of individuals. It also helps us to easily index and search the records. Married female kerala christians usually use husband&#8217;s name as last name. For genealogical purpose, it is always good to use maiden family name (family name at birth) as the primary name. Other family names, like those acquired through marriage, could be added as a secondary name.</p>
<p style="text-indent: 2em;">Dates should be collected for all important events for a person. Make sure that the dates collected are as accurate as possible. It was a common practice in the last 50 years or so, to provide a different birth date at school, than the original one. If it is an estimate, put a &#8220;circa&#8221; or &#8220;about&#8221; before the date. For eg: c.1873 or abt.1873.</p>
<p style="text-indent: 2em;">For places, make sure you always have the Post Office (P.O.), as it helps very much in communicating, indexing (eg: <em>see </em><a title="places index" href="http://www.genealogy.rocksea.org/places.php"><em>place index in our family tree</em></a>), or even for mapping purposes (eg: <em>see </em><a title="genealogy google map example" href="http://www.genealogy.rocksea.org/faq.php#faq14"><em>google maps in our familytree</em></a>).</p>
</li>
<li>Extra info: occupation, achievements, skills.</li>
<li>Photographs, videos, audios, letters (handwriting), newspaper clippings, obituaries, remembrance cards, wedding (and other) invitations.</li>
<li>Memories and stories. These are often overlooked, but integral part of a family genealogy, making it fresh and alive.</li>
</ol>
<p>All the above for all your relatives. Which relatives? Starting with you (1) -&gt; your parents (2) -&gt; grand parents (4) -&gt; great grand parents (8) and so on. And all the siblings, spouses, children branching from these. You may be surprised to find inter-relations, relations to your old school mates or friends <img src='http://www.rocksea.org/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p><strong>How to collect and record?</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Go and collect on paper, forms.</li>
<li>Phone.</li>
<li>Postal. Send your forms along with self addressed envolopes, so that your relatives can fill and send it back to you.</li>
<li>Email. Email communication is essential in gathering new information, validating, sending files and pictures.</li>
<li>Online form. (eg: <em>see </em><a title="genealogy online form" href="http://www.genealogy.rocksea.org/genealogyform.php"><em>a typical online form in our family tree</em></a>).</li>
<li>Software. It is always good to organize all the collected data in a recognizable and usable format. Several free and commercial softwares are available for this purpose. <span>Personal Ancestral File (PAF) is one of the free softwares.</span></li>
</ol>
<p><strong>How to publish?</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Books, newsletters. Family history books and monthly/yearly newsletters. These take a lot of time and money in creating and publishing and sending it to family members. However, it is an effective way and the end user will benefit.</li>
<li>Email newsletters. Easy and least expensive, but less reach?</li>
<li>Internet. A genealogical site would provide wide access to the records from anywhere (eg: <em>see </em><a title="kerala family tree" href="http://www.genealogy.rocksea.org/"><em>our family tree</em></a>). Family members can even register and add their details and branches of their family trees. Easy to keep updated. Usage will depend on the internet access abilities of the end user. However, this is gaining momentum with time. Several free and commercial software scripts are available for this purpose. p<span>hpgedview is one of the free softwares. In my family tree I am using the better, advanced, TNG software scripts. </span></li>
</ol>
<p><span>Probably, a combination of all these would be the effective way to keep  the family tree together. An online database which can be easily updated and accessed, with less frequent and less heavy newsletters by email and snail mail.</span></p>
<p><strong>Privacy, trade off.</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Birthdates. Some people (living) like their birthdates to be kept private for several reasons. Like they don&#8217;t want their age to be known or due to the reason that birthdates could help access to credit cards. At the same time, birth dates are an integral part of family genealogy. Depending upon the situation, the genealogist can provide access to only registered users, avoid the year of birth or keep it open.
<p style="text-indent: 2em;">In our family tree we have kept it open as registration and logging in deters a lot of non-web savvy users. Many birthday celebrations, anniversaries, etc have been triggered as the dates are available. We also use the year of birth for some facilities/calculations/statistics on the website. Then, again, most of these dates are available in publically available media like books, other websites, etc (not all of course). Also, birthdates have been gathered by many agencies (govt and non-govt) that it is not so difficult to procure them if someone needs.</p>
</li>
<li>Secrets. There may be family or personal secrets which people may like to keep private. We should respect these concerns.</li>
<li>Divorces, 2nd marriages. These are information which are publicly announced and available. Recording such details are upto each person, and depending on the situations.</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>Notes</strong></p>
<p>Most of the information given are from personal experiences and viewpoints. Though this article is on kerala christian genealogy, many of the points discussed here applies to other communities also. There is ever growing interest in genealogy in other communities (eg: I know that some namboothiri groups are active in it) and it may be helpful to collaborate as the kerala history and culture transcends religious barriers.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>kozhikode and kuttichira mishkal mosque</title>
		<link>http://www.rocksea.org/kozhikode-and-kuttichira-mishkal-mosque</link>
		<comments>http://www.rocksea.org/kozhikode-and-kuttichira-mishkal-mosque#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Jan 2009 07:30:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>rocksea</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[india]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kerala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[photography]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[achayan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beach road]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bharananganam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[calicut]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[communal harmony]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hindus and muslims]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[italy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[juma masjid]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kozhikode]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kuttichira]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kuttichira tank]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mishkal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mishkal mosque]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mosque]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nakhuda mishkal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nazrani]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[piazza]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[portuguese]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[religion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[samoothiri]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[temple]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tradition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[westernization]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[zamorin]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rocksea.org/?p=512</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A few days at kozhikode opened up a myriad of reasons in our heart to say that it is one of the best places we have been, so far. The varied cultural/historical/architectural diversities which it still preserves, the astounding friendliness rendered by the people, the geographical beauty along with the beaches, all made kozhikode a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A few days at kozhikode opened up a myriad of reasons in our heart to say that it is one of the best places we have been, so far. The varied cultural/historical/architectural diversities which it still preserves, the astounding friendliness rendered by the people, the geographical beauty along with the beaches, all made kozhikode a place close to our heart.</p>
<p><strong>Kozhikode</strong> was supposed to be only a &#8217;stop by&#8217; during our kerala trip. It ended up as one of our  major destinations. One reason could be the contrast in the regions within kerala. Though we belong to the pala (specifically bharananganam) nazrani achayan clan, boasting a  rich cultural and traditional backup, much of it is on the fading route. This could be one of the reasons that kozhikode, less influenced by westernization and still preserving a lot of its unique culture, came up as a heaven on earth for us.</p>
<p><strong>Kuttichira community</strong><br />
The city centre itself is filled with a lot of smaller localities surrounding mosques and temples. One of our first venture was the Kuttichira community, specifically the Mishkal Mosque, Kuttichira Tank and the Juma Masjid. Though we started off as enthusiastic tourists, we ended up researching the history, culture, architecture and the community of the area. The local community were a lot enthusiastic to provide information, which showed their friendliness.</p>
<p><strong>Mishkal Mosque at Kuttichira</strong>, Kozhikode, was built by Nakhuda Mishkal in the 14th century. Nakhuda Mishkal was a renowned trader and ship owner from Yemen. The title <em>Nakhuda</em> is of persian origin, meaning Captain of the ship; from <em>nāv</em> = boat + <em>khudā</em> = master. As you can see, the mosque was designed in the traditional kerala architecture of that period.</p>
<p><a href="/images/kerala/slides/mishkal_mosque_kozhikode_02.php"><img title="Mishkal Mosque at Kuttichira, Kozhikode" src="/images/kerala/slides/mishkal_mosque_kozhikode_02.jpg" alt="Mishkal Mosque at Kuttichira, Kozhikode" width="520" height="350" /></a></p>
<p>The Mishkal Mosque at Kuttichira stands as a symbol of communal harmony. In 1510 AD, the Portuguese had attacked the mosque and partially destroyed it. Supposedly, their mission was to divide and rule, breaking the harmony between hindus and muslims. The Samoothiri (Zamorin), the local ruler at that time, didn&#8217;t fall for this and helped in defending and repairing the mosque. </p>
<p>The mosque was 5 storeyed, but after the destruction, it remained as a 4 storeyed structure. The walls of the mosque, except the ground floor are made of wood. Remnants of the portuguese destruction can still be seen on the upmost floor.</p>
<blockquote><p>Do you know that the burka/purdah came to Kerala as part of the fashion and modernity, which was Arab influenced?</p></blockquote>
<p><a href="/images/kerala/slides/mishkal_mosque_kozhikode_03.php"><img title="Mishkal Mosque at Kuttichira, Kozhikode" src="/images/kerala/slides/mishkal_mosque_kozhikode_03.jpg" alt="Mishkal Mosque at Kuttichira, Kozhikode" width="520" height="350" /></a></p>
<p>The kids in the locality actively involved in performing before our video/still cameras too.</p>
<p><a href="/images/kerala/slides/kuttichira_tank_kozhikode_03.php"><img title="Diving at Kuttichira Tank, Kozhikode" src="/images/kerala/slides/kuttichira_tank_kozhikode_03.jpg" alt="Diving at Kuttichira Tank, Kozhikode" width="520" height="350" /></a></p>
<p>As per the local residents: the area surronding this vast pool is a place akin to the Piazzas (Squares) of Italy, where the locals meet and the day/nightlife activities are carried out.</p>
<p><a href="/images/kerala/slides/kuttichira_tank_kozhikode_05.php"><img title="Diving Acrobatics at Kuttichira Tank, Kozhikode" src="/images/kerala/slides/kuttichira_tank_kozhikode_05.jpg" alt="Diving Acrobatics at Kuttichira Tank, Kozhikode" width="520" height="350" /></a></p>
<p>Shoal of fishes at the Kuttichira Tank&#8230;</p>
<p><a href="/images/kerala/slides/kuttichira_tank_kozhikode_02.php"><img title="Shoal of fishes at the Kuttichira Tank" src="/images/kerala/slides/kuttichira_tank_kozhikode_02.jpg" alt="Shoal of fishes at the Kuttichira Tank" width="520" height="350" /></a></p>
<p>Thanks to all Kuttichira residents for opening up a new world for us! We will surely visit you again.</p>
<p><a href="/images/kerala/slides/mishkal_mosque_kids_kozhikode.php"><img title="Smiling faces.Around the Kuttichira Mishkal Mosque, Kozhikode" src="/images/kerala/slides/mishkal_mosque_kids_kozhikode.jpg" alt="Smiling faces.Around the Kuttichira Mishkal Mosque, Kozhikode" width="520" height="350" /></a></p>
<p>More photographs on the Kuttichira Mishkal area are available at <a href="http://www.rocksea.org/images/kerala/">http://www.rocksea.org/images/kerala/</a></p>
<p>Geographical Location of the Kuttichira Mishkal Mosque is given below. Switch to the Hybrid or Satellite mode of the map, Zoom In, and you can see a tiny blue-white mosque and a large rectangular tank! Easily accessible by road from the Beach Road.</p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>contrasts of times</title>
		<link>http://www.rocksea.org/contrasts-of-times</link>
		<comments>http://www.rocksea.org/contrasts-of-times#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:12:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[india]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[children]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kerala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[memory]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[secunderabad]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rocksea.org/?p=162</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8220;There was a time when children used to fill the grounds and their laughters used to echo through the evenings. Now when I get up early morning, I see them leaving at 6 am. They are going to tuitions. I don&#8217;t get to see them until they return by 6 or 7pm. At least the teachers [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&#8220;There was a time when children used to fill the grounds and their laughters used to echo through the evenings. Now when I get up early morning, I see them leaving at 6 am. They are going to tuitions. I don&#8217;t get to see them until they return by 6 or 7pm. At least the teachers could have mercy and leave them a little early. The church grounds (where children usually play) are now empty. Even when they return home, they have no time for the family. All are studying quietly inside their rooms.&#8221;</p>
<p>A few lines taken from in between a conversation I had with a 76 year old lady. She had come from Kerala to stay with her son in Secunderabad for 3 months in 2007. Her own grandson likes staying indoors and rarely ventures out.</p>
<p>She says, &#8221; The contrasts of times&#8221;</p>
<p>In memory of her&#8230;<br />
Born : 30 Dec 1930<br />
Died : 20 Sept 2007</p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>onam with nature</title>
		<link>http://www.rocksea.org/onam-with-nature</link>
		<comments>http://www.rocksea.org/onam-with-nature#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 Sep 2006 10:55:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>rocksea</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[india]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kerala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[photography]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prakriti]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[araneae]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[argiope]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[athappookkalam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dragonflies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dragonfly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mahabali]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[maveli]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[odonata]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[onam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[onappookkalam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[onathumbi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[picture wing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rhyothemis variegata]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spider web]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spiders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thiru onam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thiruvonam]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rocksea.org/onam-with-nature</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Our ettukaliyude onappookkalam.. a spider&#8217;s web design (!!) evoking memories of the long lost Onam days I used to celebrate at home in Kerala. Photograph taken while I was at home during last Onam. Species: argiope. juvenile. These orb weaver (Family: araniedae) spiders decorate their webs with stabilimenta. They usually rest in a head down [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="left">Our ettukaliyude <em>onappookkalam</em>.. a spider&#8217;s web design (!!) evoking memories of the long lost Onam days I used to celebrate at home in Kerala. Photograph taken while I was at home during last Onam. Species: <em>argiope.</em> juvenile. These orb weaver (Family: <em>araniedae</em>) spiders decorate their webs with stabilimenta. They usually rest in a head down position on the web. As one approaches the web, they hold their position until the last moment before slipping round in a flash to hide on the other side of the stabilimentum.</p>
<p align="center"><a title="argiope_spider_onam_pookkalam_002 * oru ettukaliyude onappookkalam. spider web patterns @ home, kerala. argiope. juvenile. These orb weaver (Family: araniedae) spiders decorate their webs with stabilimenta. They usually rest in a head down position on the web. As one approaches the web, they hold their position until the last moment before slipping round in a flash to hide on the other side of the stabilimentum. species info: SpiderIndia &amp; South Indian Spiders. * oru ettukaliyude onappookkalam. spider web patterns @ home, kerala. argiope. juvenile. These orb weaver (Family: araniedae) spiders decorate their webs with stabilimenta. They usually rest in a head down position on the web. As one approaches the web, they hold their position until the last moment before slipping round in a flash to hide on the other side of the stabilimentum. species info: SpiderIndia &amp; South Indian Spiders. * 1024 x 766 * (97KB)" href="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/araneae/slides/argiope_spider_onam_pookkalam_002.php"><img src="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/araneae/slides/argiope_spider_onam_pookkalam_002.jpg" alt="argiope_spider_onam_pookkalam_002 * oru ettukaliyude onappookkalam. spider web patterns @ home, kerala. argiope. juvenile. These orb weaver (Family: araniedae) spiders decorate their webs with stabilimenta. They usually rest in a head down position on the web. As one approaches the web, they hold their position until the last moment before slipping round in a flash to hide on the other side of the stabilimentum. species info: SpiderIndia &amp; South Indian Spiders. * oru ettukaliyude onappookkalam. spider web patterns @ home, kerala. argiope. juvenile. These orb weaver (Family: araniedae) spiders decorate their webs with stabilimenta. They usually rest in a head down position on the web. As one approaches the web, they hold their position until the last moment before slipping round in a flash to hide on the other side of the stabilimentum. species info: SpiderIndia &amp; South Indian Spiders. * 1024 x 766 * (97KB)" width="520" height="391" /></a></p>
<p align="left">Onathumbi. Species: <em>Rhyothemis variegata variegata</em> (Picture wing Dragonfly, male). Normally they are seen in the month of August till December and hence called Onathumbi. Attractive colors and their presence tells you Onam is here!</p>
<p align="center"><a title="onathumbi_004 * Onathumbi. Rhyothemis variegata variegata (male). Normally they are seen in the month of August till December. In kerala it is called as 'Onathumbi'. Onam is the harvest festival in August and Thumbi  means Dragonfly. @ home, kerala * Onathumbi. Rhyothemis variegata variegata (male). Normally they are seen in the month of August till December. In kerala it is called as 'Onathumbi'. Onam is the harvest festival in August and Thumbi  means Dragonfly. @ home, kerala * 1024 x 766 * (158KB)" href="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/odonata/slides/onathumbi_004.php"><img src="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/odonata/slides/onathumbi_004.jpg" alt="onathumbi_004 * Onathumbi. Rhyothemis variegata variegata (male). Normally they are seen in the month of August till December. In kerala it is called as 'Onathumbi'. Onam is the harvest festival in August and Thumbi  means Dragonfly. @ home, kerala * Onathumbi. Rhyothemis variegata variegata (male). Normally they are seen in the month of August till December. In kerala it is called as 'Onathumbi'. Onam is the harvest festival in August and Thumbi  means Dragonfly. @ home, kerala * 1024 x 766 * (158KB)" width="520" height="391" /></a></p>
<p align="left">Species: <em>Rhyothemis variegata variegata</em> (female)</p>
<p align="center"><a title="onathumbi_002 * Onathumbi. Rhyothemis variegata variegata (female). Normally they are seen in the month of August till December. In kerala it is called as 'Onathumbi'. Onam is the harvest festival in August and Thumbi  means Dragonfly. @ home, kerala * Onathumbi. Rhyothemis variegata variegata (female). Normally they are seen in the month of August till December. In kerala it is called as 'Onathumbi'. Onam is the harvest festival in August and Thumbi  means Dragonfly. @ home, kerala * 1024 x 766 * (135KB)" href="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/odonata/slides/onathumbi_002.php"><img src="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/odonata/slides/onathumbi_002.jpg" alt="onathumbi_002 * Onathumbi. Rhyothemis variegata variegata (female). Normally they are seen in the month of August till December. In kerala it is called as 'Onathumbi'. Onam is the harvest festival in August and Thumbi  means Dragonfly. @ home, kerala * Onathumbi. Rhyothemis variegata variegata (female). Normally they are seen in the month of August till December. In kerala it is called as 'Onathumbi'. Onam is the harvest festival in August and Thumbi  means Dragonfly. @ home, kerala * 1024 x 766 * (135KB)" width="520" height="391" /></a></p>
<p align="left">adding to the nostalgia of Onam season.. <em>onathumbis</em> hovering over..</p>
<p align="center"><a title="onathumbi_001 * onathumbikal. lots of Rhyothemis variegata variegata flying high during Onam season. @ home, kerala * onathumbikal. lots of Rhyothemis variegata variegata flying high during Onam season. @ home, kerala * 1024 x 766 * (256KB)" href="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/odonata/slides/onathumbi_001.php"><img src="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/odonata/slides/onathumbi_001.jpg" alt="onathumbi_001 * onathumbikal. lots of Rhyothemis variegata variegata flying high during Onam season. @ home, kerala * onathumbikal. lots of Rhyothemis variegata variegata flying high during Onam season. @ home, kerala * 1024 x 766 * (256KB)" width="520" height="391" /></a></p>
<blockquote style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" dir="ltr">
<p align="left">Onam / Thiru Onam: Festival of Kerala, celebrated in the month <em>Chingam</em> (Aug-Sep), of the Malayalam Calendar. In memory of a mythical King MahaBali (Maveli) who ruled Kerala eons back. Legend is that Kerala reached the zenith of its glory under his rule and he was so famous that gods became jealous and send God Vishnu to send him down to the netherworld. Anyways, before sending him down, Vishnu gave King Maha Bali a boon to visit his people once in a year. This day we celebrate as Onam, to welcome Mahabali. One of the most attractive aspects of thiruvonam is the <em>pookkalam</em> or the floral designs we make.</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr" align="left">Sarah, celebrate this onam at home for me! <img src="http://www.rocksea.org/wp-content/plugins/chenpress/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/cry_smile.gif" alt="" /></p>
<p dir="ltr" align="left"> </p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The only Reason</title>
		<link>http://www.rocksea.org/the-only-reason</link>
		<comments>http://www.rocksea.org/the-only-reason#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2006 14:49:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>rocksea</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prakriti]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[global warming]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kerala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nature conservation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pesticides]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[plastic]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rocksea.org/the-only-reason</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It takes millions of years for a species to evolve. It takes just a few moments for that species to disappear forever from the globe. The only reason.. The only reason being human beings. The only reason being I. The only reason being YOU.
I pity myself for my inability to cover my arms around the globe [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It takes <span style="font-size: medium;">millions</span> of years for a species to evolve. It takes just a few <span style="font-size: medium;">moments</span> for that species to disappear forever from the globe. The only reason.. The only reason being human beings. The only reason being <span style="font-size: medium;">I</span>. The only reason being <span style="font-size: medium;">YOU</span>.</p>
<p><span style="color: #003300;">I pity myself for my inability to cover my arms around the globe and protect it<br />
My arms are not so wide<br />
But  could do one thing<br />
I could use your arms as well<br />
No, it&#8217;s still not wide enough<br />
Will you call someone else too?<br />
Yes, if more and more join, we could do something!<br />
We could cover the globe so that no green grass falls off it</span></p>
<p>Mother Earth held us to her breasts till now. Now she is weak and old. It&#8217;s our turn to show gratitude. It&#8217;s your turn.. Will you?</p>
<p><img src="/wp-content/plugins/chenpress/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/whatchutalkingabout_smile.gif" alt="" />Somehow I feel bugged. There&#8217;re very few <span style="color: #808000;">(is it so?)</span> who take time for, or love, nature. Is it that they don&#8217;t have time to? Where&#8217;re you all heading to? Are you so much obsessed with your career and pride and money that you can&#8217;t stop a while to think of nature? Or do you think there&#8217;re some nature lovers, they&#8217;ll do it all? No yaar! It takes efforts from all to preserve every species we have now, every shade of green you&#8217;ve seen.</p>
<p>Actually, only a little time is left to repair. So what can we do? Hmm.. Let me think. With this single article, you won&#8217;t go out and stand for Kyoto Protocol<sup>1</sup> or raise your voice to defend global warming, will you? You won&#8217;t go out and see whether your local government is giving out pesticides and poisons which go up the food chain and damage life on earth, would you? Yet I&#8217;ve to get something from you through this article. Otherwise it&#8217;s a waste of time for me and you. So what I think is to go into the basics. Know what, as I go up <span style="color: #808000;">(or down, whatever the case may be)</span> in my studies, one thing I get reminded of is to go to the basics. Hence here the best thing is to cultivate some memory or love for nature. Thatz why you see more nature photographs on this website than any other kind of photographs. All these <a href="http://www.nature.rocksea.org/">birds, insects, butterflies</a> are amazing to see! You just&#8217;ve to open your eyes. Life is not just you and dogs and cats. All these creatures you can see in your own environment. Even if you&#8217;re in a city, there&#8217;re zillions of creatures, other than you, thriving somewhere around.</p>
<p>Once you see them, once you see how beautiful it can be, I am damn sure you don&#8217;t need any more advise, you don&#8217;t need a lecture on the Kyoto Protocol. You&#8217;ll do your share of conserving nature. Well thatz all I mean. I hope you see it?</p>
<p><sup>1</sup><sub>The Kyoto Protocol is an international environmental treaty produced at the United Nations for the &#8220;stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system&#8221;.</sub></p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>mating</title>
		<link>http://www.rocksea.org/mating</link>
		<comments>http://www.rocksea.org/mating#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2006 03:30:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>rocksea</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[photography]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prakriti]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bugs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[damselflies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[defying gravity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dragonflies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[entomology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hokkaido]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[houseflies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[human sexuality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[insect photomacrography]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kerala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[macro lens]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[noboribetsu]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rocksea.org/mating</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[hmm..uhhh..ohh?? this guy seems to be interesting. but simi 1, look, look at those photos, those poems.. all circumnavigate around one central theme, mating! seems hez not researching in oceanography. he must be researching in mating!! This was what simi&#8217;s friend told her when she showed this website to him.
So is it? I think so.
Is [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>hmm..uhhh..ohh?? this guy seems to be interesting. but simi <sup><span style="color: #3366ff;">1</span></sup>, look, look at those photos, those poems.. all circumnavigate around one central theme, mating! seems hez not researching in oceanography. he must be researching in mating!! This was what simi&#8217;s friend told her when she showed this website to him.</p>
<p>So is it? I think so.</p>
<p>Is there any better theme to talk about? The very existence of life thrives on mating. Though human beings assign a lot of terms like love, passion, blah blah (me don&#8217;t mean itz all blah blah, me mean etc etc, ok?) to sex we can&#8217;t deny the role of hormones, those animal part in us which determines (though not solely <sup><span style="color: #3366ff;">2</span></sup>) this love and passion to a great extent. Ok, letz not stray away. Just thought of sharing some warm pixels emphasizing the theme, mating and here we go:</p>
<blockquote style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" dir="ltr"><p>Bugmates. My aunty asked me &#8220;eda, athu thala-kuthane aano?!!&#8221; (have you put it upside-down?). Nah, itz as you see it.. defying gravity. This was taken from the <em>Hokkaido University Botanical Gardens</em>, while the sun was shining at Sapporo. Yet to identify these bugs.</p></blockquote>
<div><a href="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/insects/slides/bugs_mating_001.php"></a></div>
<div>
<p><a href="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/insects/slides/bugs_mating_001.php"></a><a title="bugs_mating_001 * bugmates. gravity dare not play on these playmates. hokkaido university botanical gardens, sapporo, japan * 1024 x 766 * (111KB)" href="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/japan-insects/slides/bugs_mating_001.php"><img src="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/japan-insects/slides/bugs_mating_001.jpg" alt="bugs_mating_001 * bugmates. gravity dare not play on these playmates. hokkaido university botanical gardens, sapporo, japan * 1024 x 766 * (111KB)" width="520" height="391" /></a><a href="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/insects/slides/bugs_mating_001.php"></a></div>
<blockquote style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" dir="ltr">
<p align="left">Dragonflies mating. These are male (red) and female (orange) from the same species <em>Orthetrum chrysis </em>(Family: <em>Libellulidae).</em> So what are these guys doing? The acrobatic mating formation <sup><span style="color: #3366ff;">3</span></sup>, sometimes assumed in mid-flight, is commonly known as the wheel formation. The position of the male&#8217;s rear end is how the male caught the female at the tandem position. Then the female arches her abdomen around to transfer the sperm in a pouch in the male&#8217;s 2nd abdominal segment into a special pouch of her own, completing the wheel formation. <em>By the pond at my home in Kerala.</em></p>
</blockquote>
<div><a href="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/insects/slides/orthetrum_chrysis_dragonfly_mating_003.php"></a></div>
<p><a href="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/insects/slides/orthetrum_chrysis_dragonfly_mating_003.php"></a><a title="orthetrum_chrysis_dragonfly_mating_003 * Dragonflies Orthetrum chrysis male ( red coloured one) and female (orange, in wheel position) mating. Family: Libellulidae. near the pond @ home, kerala. * 1024 x 766 * (186KB)" href="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/odonata/slides/orthetrum_chrysis_dragonfly_mating_003.php"><img src="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/odonata/slides/orthetrum_chrysis_dragonfly_mating_003.jpg" alt="orthetrum_chrysis_dragonfly_mating_003 * Dragonflies Orthetrum chrysis male ( red coloured one) and female (orange, in wheel position) mating. Family: Libellulidae. near the pond @ home, kerala. * 1024 x 766 * (186KB)" width="520" height="391" /></a><a href="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/insects/slides/orthetrum_chrysis_dragonfly_mating_003.php"></a></p>
<blockquote style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" dir="ltr">
<p align="left">Houseflies mating! Though this one isn&#8217;t as colorful as those above, I feel an affinity towards it as may be because it was one of my first shots on mating or may be because it is just small and simple. <em>Foothills of Usu mountains, 4-5 kms drive from Sapporo.</em></p>
</blockquote>
<div><a href="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/insects/slides/housefly_mating_001.php"></a></div>
<p><a href="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/insects/slides/housefly_mating_001.php"></a><a title="housefly_mating_001 * houseflies mating. Tomomitsu Minato's guesthouse premises, Usu, South Hokkaido * 1024 x 766 * (156KB)" href="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/japan-insects/slides/housefly_mating_001.php"><img src="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/japan-insects/slides/housefly_mating_001.jpg" alt="housefly_mating_001 * houseflies mating. Tomomitsu Minato's guesthouse premises, Usu, South Hokkaido * 1024 x 766 * (156KB)" width="520" height="391" /></a><a href="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/insects/slides/housefly_mating_001.php"></a></p>
<blockquote style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" dir="ltr">
<p align="left">Damselflies mating <em>at a pond at Noboribetsu, on the way to Usu.</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p align="left"><a title="damselfly_mating_003 * damselflies mating at a pond. Noboribetsu, South Hokkaido * 1024 x 766 * (119KB)" href="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/japan-insects/slides/damselfly_mating_003.php"><img src="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/japan-insects/slides/damselfly_mating_003.jpg" alt="damselfly_mating_003 * damselflies mating at a pond. Noboribetsu, South Hokkaido * 1024 x 766 * (119KB)" width="520" height="391" /></a><a title="damselfly_mating_001 * damselflies mating at a pond. Noboribetsu, South Hokkaido * 1024 x 766 * (105KB)" href="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/japan-insects/slides/damselfly_mating_001.php"><img style="border: 0px;" src="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/japan-insects/thumbs/damselfly_mating_001.jpg" alt="damselfly_mating_001 * damselflies mating at a pond. Noboribetsu, South Hokkaido * 1024 x 766 * (105KB)" width="133" height="101" /></a><a title="damselfly_mating_002 * damselflies mating at a pond. Noboribetsu, South Hokkaido * 1024 x 766 * (107KB)" href="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/japan-insects/slides/damselfly_mating_002.php"><img style="border: 0px;" src="http://www.rocksea.org/nature/japan-insects/thumbs/damselfly_mating_002.jpg" alt="damselfly_mating_002 * damselflies mating at a pond. Noboribetsu, South Hokkaido * 1024 x 766 * (107KB)" width="133" height="101" /></a></p>
<p><sup><span style="color: #3366ff;">1 names and other details provided in this website are not fictitious and they can be traced back to living characters.<br />
2 social/political/cultural influences apply (see how neutral i can be!!)<br />
3 the author, in no ways will be responsible for any casualties resulting from taking these posts into practice. the characters performing in these photographs are specially trained<br />
<img src="http://www.rocksea.org/wp-content/plugins/chenpress/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/omg_smile.gif" alt="" /></span></sup></p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>roots</title>
		<link>http://www.rocksea.org/roots</link>
		<comments>http://www.rocksea.org/roots#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2006 07:10:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>rocksea</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[india]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family tree]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[genealogy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grand parents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kerala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[relatives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rocksea.org/roots</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Family Genealogy 1. Yeah, started off with this last September when I went home to Kerala. It was after the realization that me, and many of the relatives to whom I talked to, aren&#8217;t aware of the newcomers in the family (thru birth, marriage etc); close relatives and cousins have become distant. Usually genealogical researches are more [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Family Genealogy <sup><span style="color: #3366ff;">1</span></sup>. Yeah, started off with this last September when I went home to Kerala. It was after the realization that me, and many of the relatives to whom I talked to, aren&#8217;t aware of the newcomers in the family (thru birth, marriage etc); close relatives and cousins have become distant. Usually genealogical researches are more concerned about ancestors dating back to eons.. Well here my <em>self</em> shouted that I should get my living roots and branches at first!</p>
<p>Started with my own family.. It&#8217;s always interesting to go through one&#8217;s own roots! Try it yourself!</p>
<p><img style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 10px" src="http://www.genealogy.rocksea.org/photos/family-tree-brothers.jpg" alt="genealogy brothers" align="right" /></p>
<p>With my parents I went from home to home jotting down basic details (esp names, bdays, weddings, deaths, photos) of relatives. One irking thing I found was none of our living mates don&#8217;t even know the name of my grandfather&#8217;s sister (dad&#8217;s side. she died around 40). One interesting fact I found out was that my grandfather&#8217;s grandfather and his brother died on the same day (look at the dates in the picture). It was in a January, bow to them.</p>
<p>If it was in a country like US, genealogical research would have been pretty easy. Everything is recorded and available and people have charts leading to Colombus even <img src="http://www.rocksea.org/wp-content/plugins/chenpress/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/omg_smile.gif" alt="" />. In India, the situation is different. Even getting beyond 50 years or so is pretty difficult. A few I found on the net where those family trees concerned with the East India Company of the yore.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, my family and a few of my cousins (esp. Liya) are with me, constantly providing some information or the other, which keeps encouraging me. What I do with it is compile all these information on a desktop software like Family Tree Maker (there&#8217;re dozens of genealogy softwares, free n commercial). Well I did that with what I have. For expanding it, the best way is to put it online, give family members a user-id to append the data or upload photos. This is where TNG (The Next generation Genealogy scripts) helped me out. Well those are the first scripts I ever bought online, only cuz I know they&#8217;re the best.. So am on it, slowly updating the <a href="http://www.genealogy.rocksea.org/">Kerala Christian Family Tree</a></p>
<p><img src="http://www.rocksea.org/images/family-tree.jpg" alt="genealogy" /></p>
<p>In Kerala, elders usually say &#8220;vanna vazhi marakkaruthu&#8221; (don&#8217;t forget your roots). I am young now but somehow it got into my head that one day I will become old, one day I will cease to exist, one day I will fade into oblivion.. After 50 years, what will be? Now a lots of pals know me, my identity is exhaled through this blog, through my email, through my personal presence.. After 50, 100 or 200 years?? May be am forbidden to look that much beyond. But like a curious child I wonder. Will there be any meaning to me then?</p>
<p>May be someone&#8217;s good actions can be traced backed to his own wish that others should do good unto him? Well, whatever it is, here I am tracing back to my grand parents, their grand parents and if possible their grand parents. Let them live through me. They had their own identity then. Just a name and photo (if) won&#8217;t replace their identity. But still I can give an abode for them to exist in the best possible way, &#8220;in the hearts of my family and relatives&#8221;.</p>
<p>Through which I may live through as well. Now I&#8217;m in the bottom of this chart. Wish some day my grand children and their children add up to this and let me smile somewhere from the middle..</p>
<p><sup><span style="color: #3366ff;">1. Genealogy: The study or investigation of ancestry and family history</span></sup></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>ചക്കച്ചുളയും കേരളപ്പിറവിയും</title>
		<link>http://www.rocksea.org/chakka-chula-kerala-piravi</link>
		<comments>http://www.rocksea.org/chakka-chula-kerala-piravi#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 31 Oct 2005 11:54:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>rocksea</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[മലയാളം]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[birth of kerala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chera]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cheralam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coconut]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coconut tree]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[jackfruit chips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kerala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[malabar]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rocksea.org/blog/?p=7</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[തമ്മില്‍ എന്തു ബന്ധം, അല്ലേ? 
ഈ ഹൊക്കൈഡോ ദ്വീപില്‍ സപ്പോറൊ  നഗരത്തില്‍ മലയാളികള്‍ ഒന്നോ രണ്ടോ എണ്ണം. അപ്പോള്‍ എനിക്ക് ആഘോഷിക്കാന്‍ കഴിഞ്ഞ മാസം വീട്ടില്‍ പോയപ്പോള്‍ കൊണ്ടുവന്ന ഈ ചക്കച്ചുളകള്‍ വറുത്തത് മാത്രം. മമ്മി സ്നേഹത്തോടെ മഴക്കാലം തുടങ്ങുന്നതിനു മുന്പേ ഉണ്ടാക്കിയതാണ്. ജൂലൈ-ആഗസ്ത് ആകുന്പോളേയ്‍ക്കും ചക്കയുടെ കാലം കഴിയും. 
വേറൊരു തമാശ. ഞാന്‍ വീട്ടിലായിരുന്നപ്പോള്‍ (പാലാ) എനിക്ക് ചക്ക വേവിച്ചതു തിന്നാനായി അമ്മാവന്‍ കുമിളിയില്‍ നിന്നും എങ്ങനെയോ ചക്ക ഒപ്പിച്ച് ബസ് കേറ്റി വിടാന്‍ വേലക്കാരന്റെ [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size: small;">തമ്മില്‍ എന്തു ബന്ധം, അല്ലേ? </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">ഈ ഹൊക്കൈഡോ ദ്വീപില്‍ സപ്പോറൊ  നഗരത്തില്‍ മലയാളികള്‍ ഒന്നോ രണ്ടോ എണ്ണം. അപ്പോള്‍ എനിക്ക് ആഘോഷിക്കാന്‍ കഴിഞ്ഞ മാസം വീട്ടില്‍ പോയപ്പോള്‍ കൊണ്ടുവന്ന ഈ ചക്കച്ചുളകള്‍ വറുത്തത് മാത്രം. മമ്മി സ്നേഹത്തോടെ മഴക്കാലം തുടങ്ങുന്നതിനു മുന്പേ ഉണ്ടാക്കിയതാണ്. ജൂലൈ-ആഗസ്ത് ആകുന്പോളേയ്‍ക്കും ചക്കയുടെ കാലം കഴിയും. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">വേറൊരു തമാശ. ഞാന്‍ വീട്ടിലായിരുന്നപ്പോള്‍ (പാലാ) എനിക്ക് ചക്ക വേവിച്ചതു തിന്നാനായി അമ്മാവന്‍ കുമിളിയില്‍ നിന്നും എങ്ങനെയോ ചക്ക ഒപ്പിച്ച് ബസ് കേറ്റി വിടാന്‍ വേലക്കാരന്റെ കൈയ്യില്‍ കൊടുത്തുവിട്ടു. പുള്ളിക്കാരനത് വേറെയേതോ വണ്ടിയില്‍ കയറ്റിവിട്ടു. ചക്ക കാത്തിരുന്ന ഞങ്ങള്‍ അറിഞ്ഞത് മൂന്നാല് ദിവസം കഴിഞ്ഞ് ചക്ക പഴുത്ത് കുമിളിയില്‍ തിരിച്ചെത്തിയെന്ന്! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://www.rocksea.org/images/chakka_chola.jpg" alt="chakka chula" /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">ചക്കച്ചുളകള്‍ തീരാറായി.. ഈ ഫോട്ടോയില്‍ കാണുന്നത് എപ്പഴേ തീര്‍ന്നു! ഇനി ഒന്നര വര്‍ഷം കാത്തിരിക്കണം, ചക്കയും ചക്കച്ചുളയും ഒക്കെ കാണാനും തിന്നാനും.. അപ്പഴേ എന്റെ ഗവേഷണം തീരുകയുള്ളു. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">ഇനി കേരളത്തെക്കുറിച്ച് രണ്ടു വാക്കുകളാകാം..<br />
ജോര്‍ജ് ഇമ്മട്ടിയുടെ &#8220;കുട്ടികളുടെ കേരളചരിത്രത്തില്‍&#8221; പറയുന്നതിങ്ങനെ.. </span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: small; color: #003366;">കേരളം എന്ന പേര് എങ്ങനെ ഉണ്ടായി?<br />
കേരം (തെങ്ങ്) ധാരാളം ഉള്ളതുകൊണ്ട് അതില്‍ നിന്നാണ് &#8216;കേരളം&#8217; എന്ന വാക്ക് ഉണ്ടായതെന്ന് ഒരഭിപ്രായമുണ്ട്. പക്ഷെ &#8216;കേരം&#8217; എന്നത് &#8216;ചേരം&#8217; എന്ന വാക്കിന്റെ കര്‍ണാടക ഉച്ചാരണമാണെന്നാണ് ഡോക്ടര്‍ ഗുണ്ടര്‍ട്ട് എന്ന ജര്‍മന്‍ പണ്ഡിതന്‍ പറയുന്നത്. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; color: #003366;">ഗോകര്‍ണം മുതല്‍ കന്യാകുമാരി വരെ നീണ്ടു കിടക്കുന്ന ഭൂപ്രദേശത്തിന് പണ്ടുണ്ടായിരുന്ന &#8216;ചേരം&#8217; എന്ന പേര് പിന്നീട് കേരളം എന്നായിമാറിയതാണെന്ന് പല പണ്ഡിതന്മാരും സമര്‍ഥിക്കുന്നു. &#8216;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; color: #003366;">ചേര്‍&#8217; എന്ന പദത്തിന് &#8216;കൂടിച്ചേര്‍ന്ന&#8217; എന്നര്‍ഥവുമുണ്ട്. &#8216;അളം&#8217; എന്നാല്‍ സ്ഥലം എന്നാണര്‍ഥം. &#8216;ചേരളം&#8217; എന്നതിന് കൂടിച്ചേര്‍ന്ന ഭൂഭാഗം എന്ന് അര്‍ഥം കല്പിക്കാമല്ലോ. ചേരളം കാലക്രമേണ സംസ്ക്രതത്തിന്റെ സ്വാധീനത്താല് കേരളം എന്നായി മാറിയതാകാം. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; color: #003366;">കേരളം പണ്ട് &#8216;മലബാര്‍&#8217; എന്നും അറിയപ്പെട്ടിരുന്നു. &#8216;മലകളുടെ നാട്&#8217; എന്നാര്‍ഥമുള്ള മലനാട് എന്ന വാക്കിനെ അനുസ്മരിപ്പിക്കുന്നുണ്ട് മലബാര്‍.</span></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">പുസ്തകം ലഘുവും വായിച്ചിരിക്കാവുന്നാതുമാണ്. ഞാന്‍ പണ്ട് തീവണ്ടിയില്‍ സഞ്ചരിച്ചപ്പോള്‍ വെറും പത്ത് രൂപ കൊടുത്ത് വാങ്ങിയതാണ്. പേജുകള്‍ നൂറ്റിമുപ്പത്.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">ചേര രാജാക്കന്മാര്‍ ഭരിച്ചിരുന്നതിനാലല്ലേ &#8216;ചേരം&#8217; എന്ന പേര് കിട്ടിയതും? </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">ചക്കച്ചുളകളുടെ ഓര്‍മ്മയ്‍ക്ക്, കേരളപ്പിറവിയ്‍ക്ക്.. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">റോക്സി</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: small;">This blog is in Malayalam language. To view, please install Malayalam Unicode font </span><a href="http://varamozhi.sourceforge.net/fonts/AnjaliOldLipi-0.730.ttf"><span style="font-size: small;">AnjaliOldLipi</span></a><span style="font-size: small;"> and set it as preferred font for Malayalam in |Tools| -&gt; |Internet Options| -&gt; |Fonts| and set the encoding to unicode (utf-8).</span></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">p.s. എങ്ങനെയുണ്ടായിരുന്നൂ നിങ്ങളുടെ കേരളപ്പിറവി??</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">ഇത് </span><a href="http://pulloor.blogspot.com/2005/10/blog-post_113079106031637631.html"><span style="font-size: small;">പുല്ലൂരാന്റെ</span></a><span style="font-size: small;"> ബ്ലോഗില്‍ നിന്നും കിട്ടിയത്:<br />
</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: small;">&#8220;</span><a href="http://wwwoa.ees.hokudai.ac.jp/~rocksea/upload/india/keralam.pdf"><span style="font-size: small;">കേരളം കേരളമായത്</span></a><span style="font-size: small;">&#8221; (pdf) എന്ന ഒരു ലേഖനം. ഈ ലേഖനം സെപ്‍റ്റംബര്‍ മാസത്തിലെ &#8220;മലയാളം&#8221; വാരികയില്‍ പ്രസിദ്ധീകരിച്ചതാണ്‌. ലേഖകന്റെ പേര്‌ കെ ടി രവിവര്‍മ്മ. </span></p></blockquote>
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