Best Spice Exporter award for GRK & Co., Kochi

Dr. V. Ramalingam, GRK & Co. receiving the award from K. Jayakumar IAS

GRK & Co. Kochi, has won the award for Excellence in Export of Spice products in the year 2010-2011. The award is instituted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kochi. Dr. V. Ramalingam of GRK & Co., Kochi received the award from K. Jayakumar IAS, Additional Secretary, Government of Kerala on Tuesday, 27th of September 2011 in the function held at Hotel Casino, Willington Island, Kochi. P. I. Sheikh Pareeth IAS, District Collector of Ernakulam was the Guest of Honour. Dr. V. Ramalingam who is also the State President of Kerala Brahmana Sabha, said that he is proud and happy to receive the award consecutively for the 4th year.

NABL Certification for GRK & Co. Labs

The chemical and micro-biological lab of GRK & Co. has been granted NABL certification from the Natioanal Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration laboratories, New Delhi. By obtaining the NABL certification, the lab has been upgraded ti international standards and the test certificates issued by our lab is now equivalent to a third-party laboratory certificate - Dr. V. Ramalingam explained.

National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) is an autonomous body under the aegis of Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, and is registered under the Societies Act. NABL has been established with the objective to provide Government, Industry Associations and Industry in general with a scheme for third-party assessment of the quality and technical competence of testing and calibration laboratories. Government of India has authorised NABL as the sole accreditation body for Testing and Calibration laboratories.

2nd Anniversary celebrations of Hamsadhwani Bhajana Sangham, Perumbavoor

The second anniversary of Hamsadhwani Bhajana Sangham is proposed to be celebrated at Perumbavoor Bhajana Madom on Tuesday, 4th of October 2011 at 04.00 p. m. Respected 'Gurus' of Meera Bhajana Mandali, R. Gopalakrishna Iyer and Rajalakshmi will be honoured in the meeting. A Bhajana by Meera Bhajana Madali will also be held after the meeting.

The meeting will be presided over by J. Lalitha, President of Kerala Brahmana Sabha, Vanitha Vibhagam, Perumbavoor Upasabha and Kamala Hariharan, President of Narayaneeyam Seva Samithy will inaugurate the meeting. Lakshmi H. Iyer, Secretary of Vanitha Vibhagam, Kerala Brahmana Sabha said the programme is arranged in connection with Navarathri celebrations.

Best Umpire Award for S. Shanker, Thripunithura

Former Kerala Ranji Opener S. Shanker has won the Kelappan Thamburan Memorial Best Umpire Award 2011, instituted by the Kerala Cricket Association for his performance in the year 2011.  He will receive the Award on 7th of October 2011 in the closing ceremony of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations & Award Nite at RDR Auditorium, G. V. Raja Nagar, Jagathy, Thiruvananthapuram.

Shanker cleared the Umpiring examination conducted by Board of Control for Cricket in India in 2008. He has played 40 matches for Kerala in Ranji Trophy and he is currently working as Officer in Indian Overseas Bank. Shanker is residing at 'Vyshnavi', Layam Road, Thripunithura. He is born to S. Sivasubramaniam and Narayani, Vadakke Madom, Mattancherry. His wife is Hema Shanker and has two children, Vivek Shanker and Vinay Shanker. Balu Narayanan (State Joint Secretary (Head Quarters), Kerala Brahmana Sabha) is brother-in-law. Congratulations to Shanker on his achievement!

New leaders for Yuvajana Vibhagam of Ernakulam District

H. Vanchiswaran, Ramesh Venugopal, Sreehari V., Sreenath G.

The AGB of Yuvajana Vibhagam, Kerala Brahmana Sabha, Ernakulam District elected the following as the office bearers for the period 2011-2013. President: Vanchiswaran H. (Perumbavoor), Vice President: Ramesh Venugopal (Thripunithura), Secretary: Sreehari V. (Thripunithura), Joint Secretary: Harish Sharma (Aluva), Treasurer: Sreenath G. (Muvattupuzha). The meeting was held at Thripunithura on 28th of August 2011 at Vedapuri Hall. Harinath D., District President presided over the meeting. Sankar Chinnaswami, District Joint Secretary welcomed the delegates and Sreehari V. delivered the vote of thanks. Ganesh Venkitachalam A. G. (District Secretary, Kerala Brahmana Sabha) and R. Hariharaputhran (District Treasurer) attended the AGB as observers.

Navarathri – Bomma Kolu at Muvattupuzha

The Bomma Kolu arranged in connection with the Navarathri celebrations at Muvattupuzha will begin on Wednesday, 28th of September 2011 at Brahmana Samooha Madom at Kavumpady. Routine poojas, bhajans, nivedyam etc. will be held on all the days. K. Annalakshmi, President and Geetha Krishnamurthy, Secretary of Kerala Brahmana Sabha, Muvattupuzha Upasabha requested all the devotees to participate in the Navarathri celebrations.

PROGRAMMES

30..09..2011, Friday/07.00 P. M. to 09.00 P. M.

BHAKTHI GANAMRUTHAM

by

Vanitha Vibhagam, KBS, Muvattupuzha

01..10..2011, Saturday/07 P. M. to 09.00 P. M.

Classical Music Concert

by

SANGEETH GOPAL

(Aasthaana Vidwan, Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam)

accompanied by Eramalloor Bijoy in Violin, Unni Kerala Varma in Mridangam and Thripunithura N. Gopalakrishnan in Ganjira

02/10/2011, Sunday/07.00 P. M. to 09.00 P. M.

BHAJAN SANDHYA

by

Vanitha Vibhagam, KBS, Thrikkariyoor

Navarathri Celebrations at Perumbavoor

The Brahmin community of Perumbavoor celebrates Navarathri in a grand manner with a variety of programmes this year. The celebrations organised by the Narayaneeyam Seva Samithy of Perumbavoor begins on Wednesday, 28th of September 2011 and ends on Thursday, 6th of October 2011 at Sree Rama Bhajana Madom, Perumbavoor.

On Sunday, 1st of October 2011, the members of Narayaneeyam Seva Samithy and Hamsadhwani Bhajana Sangham will jointly render few songs from 'Arya Geethi' - a musical symphony written by Prof. Kaippally Kesavan Namboothiri and composed by Ooramana Rajendra Marar, one among the Sopana Sangeetham exponents.

Vilakku Pooja, Kanya Pooja, Suhasini Pooja and Annadaanam will be held on Sunday, 2nd of October 2011 in connection with the celebrations. Kamala Hariharan, President and Akhila, Secretary of Narayaneeyam Seva Samithy said that regular Poojas, Sthothra Parayanam, Nivedyam and Prasadam distribution will be held as usual on all ten days.

Bomma Kolu - exhibition-cum-sale of dolls at Ernakulam attracts public

The Vanitha Vibhagam of the Kerala Brahmana Sabha, Ernakulam City Unit organized an exhibition-cum-sale of clay dolls meant for the 'Bommai Kolu' as part of Navarathri celebrations. The exhibition showcased clay dolls of various deities for traditional ‘Bommai Kolu’ displays which accompany Navarathri celebrations in Brahmin houses. Apart from the traditional clay dolls of deities, other clay and plaster - of - paris sculptures and decorative figurines were also showcased and sold. The dolls and figurines were brought from Bunrotti, Velacheri and Madurai in Tamil Nadu. This year, the exhibition contained more than 270 varieties of clay dolls and figurines worth a total of Rs 3 lakhs. The exhibition-cum-sale was held from 19th September 2011 to 22nd September 2011. Baby Shankar, Secretary of Vanitha Vibhagam said the exhibition-cum-sale had a good feedback from public and the print-visual media extended a good support.

BOMMAI KOLU: The Navrathri Kolu is displayed on stairs created from wood. The number of steps depends on the availability of the dolls. The maximum number is nine – representing the nine days of Navrathri. Usually, the steps are arranged in odd numbers. There are no hard and fast rules for arranging the dolls. Nowadays, the arrangement depends on the availability of dolls. In most places, the entire nine steps will be filled with statues of various gods and goddesses in Hindu pantheon. Sculptures of spiritual and national leaders are also exhibited in many places.

The topmost three steps are dedicated to various gods and goddesses. The next three steps are dedicated to Gurus, saints, religious personalities and other highly respected figures in the country and world. The seventh step is dedicated to various social activities and festivals. People depict marriages and important festivals in this step. Business, crafts and other economic activities are depicted in the eighth step. Creative women depict a buzzing market place and other activities. The ninth step is dedicated to dolls made of wood. Dolls of men, women, children, animals and birds are placed in this step.

During Bommai Kolu, the entire neighborhood, friends and relatives gather in a house and sing bhajans dedicated to Goddess Durga. Special sweets are prepared during the period. The dolls are taken out on the day of Vijayadashami.

Chandika Homam at Kottayam on 1st and 2nd of October 2011

A Chandika Homam is being conducted at Kottayam Brahmana Samooha Madom on Saturday and Sunday, 1^st and 2^nd of October 2011 in connection with Navarathri celebrations by the Vanitha Vibhagam of Kottayam Brahmana Samooham.

The core of the ceremony involves a recitation of the Durga Saptashati. These are seven hundred secret and powerful mantras in praise of Goddess Durga in which she defeats various demons. With the recitation of each verse, offerings are made in the sacrificial fire invoking the Goddess. In Chandika Homam, Goddess Durga is treated as a two - ten year old 'Kanyaka', hence while performing the Homam, girl children of these ages are worshipped and offered dress and other gifts. This event will be held under the spiritual leadership of Meenakshi Sundareswara Sivacharyar (Chennai), assisted by Karthikeya Sivacharya and party with Murali Vadhyar of Kottayam.

Chandra Srinivasan, Secretary of Kottayam Brahmana Samooham, Vanitha Vibhagam requested whole-hearted support and co-operation of all to make this event a grand success. Devotees can offer financial contributions and participate in Maha Sankalpa as ‘Dampathi’ in this event. For more details, please contact Chandra Srinivasan in 9495481219 or 9567037891.

Prof. Subramaniam, Rtd. Principal of Sree Sankara College, Kalady passes away at Bangalore

Prof. S. Subramaniam, Retired Principal of Sree Sankara College, Kalady passes away on Monday, 19th September 2011 at Bangalore. He was 76 years old. He was the head of the department of Commerce at Sree Sankara College, Kalady. Prof. Subramaniam was elected as the Municipal Councillor of Perumbavoor Municipality. Also he was member of GCDA, President of Perumbavoor Fine Arts Society, Secretary of Perumbavoor Block Congress Committee, Member of Ernakulam DCC, President of Young Men Brahmin Association, Perumbavoor. He was with his son at No.14, Surabhi, III Cross, Lakeshore Garden, Thindlu Vidyanagar,  Bangalore- 97. Cremation will be held at Herbal Crematorium, Bangalore on Tuesday, 20th September 2011. Wife: Late. T. R. Suseela (Thrissur), Son - S. Sudarsan (Phone: 080 41757659, 09845493610. 

N. Ramachandran, President of Kerala Brahmana Sabha, Perumbavoor Upasabha condoled the demise of Prof. Subramaniam.

Situation Vacant

Wanted ITI (Electrical/Electronics) qualified candidate for a telecom company. Attractive salary offered. Contact: M. Ramachandran 9633303512.

41st State AGB on October 15th and 16th at Thiruvananthapuram

The 41^st State Annual General Body of Kerala Brahmana Sabha will be held on Saturday and Sunday, the 15^th and 16^th of October 2011 at Panchajanyam Kalyana Mandapam, Fort, Thiruvananthapuram. The Cultural Competitions will be held on 15^th and the business meeting is scheduled on 16^th, informed P. Ananthasubramaniam, State General Secretary. Earlier the AGB was scheduled to be held at same venue  on September 24th and 25th. A circular has also been sent to all district office bearers in this regard.

Sangeeth Gopal – Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Asthana Vidwan

Sangeeth Gopal, a young musical talent has been conferred with the title ‘Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Asthana Vidwan’. He will receive the title on 27^th of September 2011 at Kancheepuram. He is son of Ganjira Vidwan N. Gopalakrishnan and Sarojam Gopalakrishnan. Sangeeth has been performing for the more than 10 years for concerts in renowned temples and Sangeetha Sabhas like Shri Shanmughananda Hall, Mumbai and Kalakshetra, Mangalore etc. He has won prizes for percussion in the South Zone University Kalolsavan for Mahatma Gandhi University during the Period 1999 to 2001.

He learned Carnatic Music - Vocal under the tutelage of P. Madhu, Late. S. K. Subramaniam, and Late. Mavelikkara R. Prabhakara Varma. He also learned Mridangam from Late. G. Narayanaswamy (Grandfather), Thripunithura N. Radhakrishnan (Ghatam Maestro and Paternal Uncle) and Parassala Ravi. Presently he is undergoing training under the veteran musician Mavelikkara Velukutty Nair.

Sangeeth Gopal is Senior Manager in Dhanlaxmi Bank, lives in Thripunithura and married to Swetha Bhagavathy G. Congratulations to Sangeeth Gopal!

Thiruvona Naalil Palada Pradhaman

The Kerala Brahmana Sabha in association with Brahmana Samooham, Muvattupuzha organized a Palada Pradhaman sale at Muvattupuzha on Thiruvonam day (Friday, 9^th September 2011). The delicious Palada Pradhaman is made under the strict supervision of experts has become an inevitable dish for the on the Thiruvona Sadya. Considering the demand, an additional outlet was also equipped this year in the heart of the town. This is the 10^th consecutive year of Payasa Mela which is being conducted as part of an image building activity and this year the sales crossed 750 liters – said S. Krishnamurthy, President of Kerala Brahmana Sabha. S. Muralidas, Secretary, Kerala Brahmana Sabha, Muvattupuzha and A. S. Balasubramania Iyer, President of Muvattupuzha Brahmana Samooham lead the activities.

Educational Aid distributed

Sundar V. receiving fund from N. Ramachandran. (From left to right) Ramani, Ganesh Venkitachalam A. G., Mohandas S., K. Hari, R. Hariharaputhran, V. Hariharakrishnan, R. Natesan, H. Balakrishnan

An educational aid mobilized by Kerala Brahmana Sabha, Ernakulam District Committee was handed over to Sundar V. of Perumbavoor on Sunday, 4^th of September 2011. An amount of Rs. 10,000/- was handed over to him at his residence by N. Ramachandran, District Vice President. Ganesh Venkitachalam A. G. (District Secretary), R. Hariharaputhran (District Treasurer), Mohandas S., K. Hari (Secretary, Perumbavoor Upasabha), V. Hariharakrishnan (both District Joint Secretaries), R. Natesan (Vice President, Perumbavoor Upasabha) and H. Balakrishnan were present on the occasion. Sundar is an engineering student who has excellent academic track record.