║ nitāntakānta dantakānti mantakānta kātmajam achintya rupa mantahēna mantarāya krintanam
hrudantarey nirantaram vasantameva yoginām tameka danta meva tam vichintayāmi santatam ║
(I constantly reflect upon that single tusked God only, whose lustrous tusk is very beautiful, who is the son of Lord Shiva, whose form is immortal and unknowable, who tears asunder all obstacles, and who dwells forever in the hearts of the Yogis)

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Krishnan & Ambika in Music Reality Shows

Krishnan V. in Amritha Super Star - the ultimate
Krishnan V. of Parur joins us in Amritha Superstar - the ultimate on weekdays 7.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. He is a 3rd year Mechanical Engineering student in Adi Sankara Institute of Engineering at Kalady. Krishnan has become a popular figure among the youngsters of Kerala Brahmana Sabha in Ernakulam District with his ace performance in Yuva Fest 2010 held at Ernakulam. Also Krishnan has won many prizes for Classical Music, Light Music, Sopana Sangeetham and Ashtapadi competitions in school/college levels. He is learning Classical Music for 13 years and his first teacher was Sudhan Vachakkal. Presently he is trained under the tutelage of N. P. Ramaswami. Krishnan V. has won prizes in Kalanjali - the youth festival organised by Kerala Brahmana Sabha in alternate years - and University cultural competitions.

Krishnan V. needs the support of viewers in this music reality show telecasted in Amritha TV. Everyone is requested to support him with SMS votes. We wish him all the best!

Ambika Gopalakrishnan in Asianet Idea Star Singer - Season 6
Ambika Gopalakrishnan of Ernakulam has been selected in Asianet Idea Star Singer - Season 6, a popular musical reality show. 30 were selected from around 3000 aspirants to contest in this reality show. She was honoured in the Annual General Body of Ernakulam District held at Aluva for having won the first prize in Carnatic Music in the inter-collegiate youth festival of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), ‘Sargam 2011’.  She started learning music at the age of 5 years. Her first music teacher was Milda Stanley, followed by Sushama Sunil. She has been the student of Mavelikkara Ponnammal and her son Mavelikkara P. Subramaniam. She was the winner in Carnatic music competition in the All Kerala Bhavan’s Youth Festival (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005). She won the ‘Bhavan’s Jyothi’ title at the All Kerala Bhavan’s Youth Festival, 2002. She was also adjudged winner in Carnatic Music in the M. G. University Youth Festival (2008). Apart from university youth festivals, Ambika was a finalist in ‘Airtel Star Wars’, an inter-collegiate reality show organized by Kairali TV in the year 2008. She has just completed her M.Sc. in Marine Biology from Cochin University of Science and Technology this year. Ambika is the daughter of Indu Gopalakrishnan and K. Gopalakrishnan. Her sister Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan is a Chartered Accountant.

She needs the support of the viewers and all are requested to send SMS votes favouring her. We wish her all the very best!

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Government declares holiday for 'Avani Avittam'

The Government of Kerala has declared restricted holiday for 'Avani Avittam' for its employees belonging to Brahmin Community on Thursday, 2nd of August 2012. Mannam Jayanthi is also declared restricted holiday for Nair Community members on Monday, 2nd January 2012.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Thiruvananthapuram State Meeting - a landmark

The 41st Annual General Body was held on Saturday and Sunday, the 15th and 16th of October 2011 at Thiruvananthapuram. The two-day state conference was held at Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer Nagar (Panchajanyam Kalyana Mandapam, Fort P. O., Thiruvananthapuram). Delegates from all over Kerala attended the two-day AGB held at the capital city of Kerala. Dr. V. Ramalingam has been re-elected as the State President of Kerala Brahmana Sabha unanimously. The 41st AGB became a landmark in the history of Sabha by electing C. G. Kiran from Kozhikode unanimously as the ever first State President of Yuvajana Vibhagam in the Delegate Meeting held in the afternoon. Dr. K. V. Saraswathy got elected as the State President of Vanitha Vibhagam.

Unlike in the previous years, the AGB was conducted in two days for a better time management. On 15th October 2011, Peethambara Kurup MP, inaugurated the meeting by lighting the Nilavilakku. In his inaugural address, he said the representatives of the Kerala Brahmana Sabha should have a seat in the Dewaswom Boards in the state. The community members should unite together to have their rights established in the present condition. Dr. V. Ramalingam, State President presided over the meeting. R. Ramachandran Nair IAS (Ex-Chief Secretary of Kerala), Janardana Iyer (Chairman, Sarada Educational Society), Dr. M. Sambasivan (Ex-State President, Kerala Brahmana Sabha), Dr. Latha Ramakrishnan (State President, Vanitha Vibhagam) and H. Ganesh (District President, Thiruvananthapuram) were also present on the occasion. A music-dance night in the name ‘Sargam 2011’ was staged by the Yuvajana Vibhagam of Thiruvananthapuram after the meeting. The three hour programme of the youngsters showcased a heart-throbbing performance.

Ceremonial welcome to Dr. V. Ramalingam
Dr. V. Ramalingam was received at the West Fort Gate next day on 16th of October 2011, before commencing the Delegate meeting. The volunteers of Sabha gave him a ceremonial welcome with Poornakumbham in the venue. Thousands participated in the procession accompanied by festival umbrellas, panchavadyam and nagaswaram to receive the State President.

41st Annual General Body - Delegate Meeting at Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer Nagar
The Delegate meeting of the 41st AGB was presided over by Dr. V. Ramalingam, State President. The session passed the Report and Accounts presented before the members after detailed discussions and proceeded to election. Dr. V. Ramalingam got elected unanimously in the elections and he then nominated P. Ananthasubramaniam as General Secretary, K. G. V. Pathy as Treasurer, Mohandas S. and A. Sankarasubramanian as Joint Secretaries (Head Quarters). The other office bearers elected are as follows. Vice Presidents: N. Hariharan (South Zone), Dr. P. S. Raman (Central Zone), N. R. Krishnamurthy (North Zone); Secretaries: R. Suresh (South Zone), N. R. Parameswaran (Central Zone), C. D. Parameswaran (North Zone). G. Mony, Returning Officer conducted the elections and the new office bearers declared by him took charge immediately. P. Ananthasubramaniam, General Secretary delivered the vote of thanks.

Annual General Body - Delegate Meeting of Vanitha Vibhagam
In the afternoon session, Honourable Speaker of Kerala Legislative Assembly, G. Karthikeyan inaugurated the Delegate meeting of Vanitha Vibhagam and Yuvajana Vibhagam. “The Brahmin community is not too far from the mainstream and there is no point in having an alien feeling. We are living in a democratic society where numbers influence the decisions of the rulers. The organization should timely fight and interfere in the issues of the member’s rights when it is reduced or lost when shared. Also Brahmins should be keen on keeping your moral and values in life, and should live by uplifting the rich tradition and culture that you own” – he said. The meeting was presided over by Dr. Latha Ramakrishnan, State President of Vanitha Vibhagam. Dr. V. Ramalingam presented a memento to G. Karthikeyan on the occasion. Radha Rangan delivered the welcome address and Adv. Sujini Venkitachalam said the vote of thanks.

The official proceedings held thereafter and the Report and Annual Accounts were passed after brief discussions and debate. Dr. K. V. Saraswathy from Alapuzha unanimously got elected as State President of Vanitha Vibhagam and she nominated Adv. Sujini Venkitachalam as Secretary and M. Muthulekshmi as Treasurer.

Annual General Body of Yuvajana Vibhagam
The Delegate meeting of Yuvajana Vibhagam was held at Colonel. Viswanathan Nagar presided by D. Harinath. Since an ad-hoc committee was in charge of the Yuvajana Vibhagam, a consolidated Report was not presented; instead individual districts presented the reports and passed. Dr. V. Ramalingam addressed the session. After G. Mony briefed on the election procedures, C. G. Kiran from Kozhikode was unanimously elected as the State President of Yuvajana Vibhagam. He nominated Ramkumar K. B. as Secretary and Arun Kumar A. S. as Treasurer of Yuvajana Vibhagam. Dr. P. S. Raman (State Vice President), S. S. Iyer (Ex-State President, Kerala Brahmana Sabha), Mohandas S. (State Joint Secretary), S. Sankar (District Secretary, Kottayam) and D. Harinath (State Co-ordinator, ad-hoc committee) felicitated the newly elected office bearers. Ramkumar K. B. said the vote of thanks. 

Cultural Competitions for children
Earlier on Saturday, 15th of October 2011, the Cultural Competitions for children of the age group 8 to 15 were held at Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer Nagar (Panchajanyam, Fort, Thiruvananthapuram). Her highness Aswathy Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi bayi delivered a mind blowing address by inaugurating the competitions. Among the 8 great civilizations in the World history, ours is the only one which is in practice even after so many years of invasion and disruption, because it is safe in the hands of you Brahmins, said Aswathy Thirunal. You should be able to keep your morals and values coupled with the rich tradition and culture that you possess in this present age too, even though it is challenging – she added. Dr. V. Ramalingam presided over the meeting. S. Udayalakshmi (Municipal Counciller, Fort Ward), S. Anantharama Iyer (President, South Zone), H. Ganesh (District President, Thiruvananthapuram) and P. Ananthasubramaniam were also present on the occasion.

The competitions were held in two categories for boys and girls. The district level winners participated in the competitions held in five – Kolamidal, Slokam Chanting, Manthram Chanting and Bhajana – disciplines. The following won the prizes.

MANTHRAM CHANTING - GROUP A
FIRST - Navaneeth H. (Kollam)
SECOND - Kailasapathy G. (Palakkad)
THIRD - Sankara Narayanan (Kozhikode)

MANTHRAM CHANTING - GROUP B
FIRST - Ramakrishnan V. (Ernakulam)
SECOND - Subramanian R. (Thiruvananthapuram)
THIRD – Sreenath (Palakkad)

SLOKAM CHANTING - GROUP A
FIRST - Shradha G. (Ernakulam)
SECOND - Saikripa S. (Ernakulam)
THIRD - Chaithanya R. (Palakkad)

SLOKAM CHANTING - GROUP B
FIRST - Sruthi S. (Kottayam)
SECOND - Vijayalakshmi (Thiruvananthapuram)
THIRD - Pavithra C. V. (Ernakulam)

KOLAMIDAL - GROUP A
FIRST - Saimeena (Thiruvananthapuram)
SECOND - SAIKRIPA S. (Ernakulam)
THIRD - Bhavadarshini M. S. (Thiruvananthapuram)

KOLAMIDAL - GROUP B
FIRST - Sreeja M. Krishnan (Palakkad)
SECOND - Divya S. (Kollam)
THIRD - Aparna S. & Pavithra C. V. (Ernakulam)

BHAJANA - GROUP A
FIRST - Navaneeth H. & Party (Kollam)
SECOND - Gayathri & Party (Palakkad)
THIRD - Dasarathi & Party (Thiruvananthapuram)

BHAJANA - GROUP B
FIRST - Lakshmi Hariharan & Party (Palakkad)
SECOND - Subramanian & Party (Ernakulam)
THIRD – Suchithra Narayanan & Party (Thrissur)

Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony was inaugurated by V. S. Sivakumar, Minister for Transport and Dewaswom. In his inaugural address, he assured the Brahmin community that the Government will not initiate any actions that will adversely affect the people who live in and around Sree Padmanabhaswami Temple for any security reasons. K. Chandrika (Mayor, Thiruvananthapuran Corporation), V. Sivankutti MLA, O. Rajagopal (Ex-Minister for States) and H. Ganesh (District President, Thiruvananthapuram) addressed the gathering. The meeting was presided over by Dr. V. Ramalingam, State President of Kerala Brahmana Sabha. The winners of the cultural competitions were given certificates and cash prizes of Rs. 7500, 5000 and 2500 for First, Second and Third positions respectively. The personalities among the community who have outstanding achievements were also honoured on the occasion. Deenabandhu P. Thanu Iyer, Deena Dayanidhi Radha Narayanan and elder couples of the community were also honoured on the occasion.

Venue, Food & Accommodation – Thanks to the organizing committee
The architecture of the dining hall (used as ‘Nelpura’ of royal family) and some of the locations arranged for accommodation (like Veda Gramam) was attractive and had the royal touch of Travancore. Arrangements made for food and accommodation gave quite good response from the Delegates came from different parts of Kerala. Altogether the organizers deserve a pat on their back for the smooth and good conduct of a grand event.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Dr. V. Ramalingam re-elected State President

Dr. V. Ramalingam
Dr. V. Ramalingam has been re-elected Kerala Brahmana Sabha State President for the second time. He was elected unanimously in the elections held at Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, 16th October 2011. The other newly elected office-bearers of the Sabha are as follows:
P. Ananthasubramaniam, K. G. V. Pathy, Mohandas S., Sankarasubramanian A.
General Secretary: P. Ananthasubramaniam, Treasurer: K. G. V. Pathy, Vice Presidents: N. Hariharan, Dr. P. S. Raman, N. R. Krishnamurthy, Joint Secretaries: R. Suresh, N. R. Parameswaran, C. D. Parameswaran, Joint Secretaries (Head Quarters): Mohandas S., A. Sankarasubramanian.
Dr. Saraswathy K., Adv. Sujini Venkitachalam, Muthulekshmi M.
The Vanitha Vibhagam and Yuvajana Vibhagam elections were also held on the same day. The Vanitha Vibhagam elected Dr. Saraswathy K. V. as President. The new General Secretary is Adv. Sujini Venkitachalam and Muthulekshmi M., the Treasurer.
C. G. Kiran, Ramkumar K. B., Arun Kumar A. S.
C. G. Kiran got elected as President of Yuvajana Vibhagam. Ramkumar K. B. is the new Secretary and Arun Kumar A. S., the Treasurer. The elections was held in 41st Annual General Body held at Panchajanyam Kalyana Mandapam, Fort P. O., Thiruvananthapuram. G. Mony was the returning officer.

Monday, October 10, 2011

41st AGB at Thiruvananthapuram on 15th & 16th 2011

The 41st Annual General Body of Kerala Brahmana Sabha will be held at Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer Nagar (Panchajanyam Kalyana Mandapam, Kottakkakam) at Thiruvananthapuram on 15th and 16th of October 2011. The programme details and schedule are as follows.

Date: 15th October 2011, Saturday
Venue: Panchajanyam Kalyana Mandapam, Kottakkakam, Thiruvananthapuram
MORNING SESSION
08.00 am : Registration for Cultural Competitions
09.00 am : Prayer
09.05 am : Welcome Address - P. Ramasubramonia Iyer, General Convener, 41st AGB
09.10 am : Presidential Address - Dr. V. Ramalingam, State President, KBS
09.15 am : Inauguration - SREE PADMANABHA DASA UTHRADAM THIRUNAL MARTHANDA VARMA
Felicitations - S. Udayalakshmi, Ward Counciller, Fort Ward
Vote of Thanks - S. Anantharama Iyer, President, South Zone, KBS

10.00 am onwards : Competitions in Koalmidal, Manthram Chanting, Slokam Chanting & Bhajana

EVENING SESSION - INAUGURAL MEETING
05.30 pm : Prayer
05.35 pm : Welcome Address - Dr. M. Sambasivan, Chairman, Reception Committee, 41st AGB
05.45 pm : Presidential Address - Dr. V. Ramalingam, State President, KBS
06.00 pm : Inauguration - HIS EXCELLENCY M. O. H. FAROOQ, Governer of Kerala
Felicitations - Peethambara Kurup (MP), K. Chandrika (Worshipful Mayor, Corporation of Thiruvananthapuram)
07.25 pm : Vote of Thanks - P. Ananthasubramaniam, State General Secretary, Kerala Brahmana Sabha

07.30 pm onwards - SARGAM - 2011, a music night by Yuvajana Vibhagam, KBS of Thiruvananthapuram

Date: 16th October 2011, Sunday
Venue: Panchajanyam Kalyana Mandapam, Kottakkakam, Thiruvananthapuram
MORNING SESSION
08.00 am : Delegate Registration
08.30 am : Reception to Dr. V. Ramalingam, State President, KBS (Procession from West Fort)
09.00 am : Flag Hoisting
09.30 am : Prayer
09.35 am : Welcome Address - H. Ganesh, District President, KBS, Thiruvananthapuram
09.45 am : Meeting as per Agenda of AGB Notice (In the Chair: Dr. V. Ramalingam, State President, KBS)
12.30 : Vote of Thanks - General Secretary

AFTERNOON SESSION
AGB OF VANITHA VIBHAGAM - Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer Nagar
01.00 pm : Prayer
01.05 pm : Welcome Address - Radha Rangan, District President, KBS, Vanitha Vibhagam, Thiruvananthapuram
01.15 pm : Inaugural Address - G. KARTHIKEYAN, Honourable Speaker
01.30 pm : Meeting as per Agenda of AGB Notice (In the Chair: Dr. Latha Ramakrishnan, State President, KBS, Vanitha Vibhagam)
02.45 pm : Vote of Thanks - General Secretary, KBS, Vanitha Vibhagam

ABG OF YUVAJANA VIBHAGAM - Colonel Viswanathan Nagar
01.30 pm : Meeting as per Agenda of AGB Notice (In the Chair: D. Harinath, State Convener)
02.45 pm : Vote of Thanks - General Secretary, KBS, Yuvajana Vibhagam

EVENING SESSION - CLOSING CEREMONY
03.00 pm : Prayer
03.05 pm : Welcome Address - State General Secretary, KBS
03.10 pm : Presidential Address - State President, KBS
03.30 pm : Inaugural Address - V. S. SIVAKUMAR, Honourable Minister for Dewaswom & Transports
Felicitations : V. Sivankutti MLA, K. Muralidharan MLA, O. Rajagopal (Ex-Minister for States)

Honouring Rank holders in SSLC, +2 or equivalent courses, Degree, Professional Courses
Honouring P. Thanu Iyer, Deenadayanidhi Radha Narayanan, other dignitories, Priests, senior citizens and couples
04.45 pm : Vote of Thanks - H. Ganesh, District President KBS, Thiruvananthapuram & Chairman, Organising Committee, 41st AGB
05.00 pm : Santhi Manthram

LOCATION MAP TO PANCHAJANYAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM