Sights and Sounds of History
Cochin Shipyard Ltd., established an Audio- Visual infrastructure at Kerala History Museum where visitors can engage with historical information and artefacts through audio and visual media.
Opened in the year 1987, Kerala Museum at Edapally, Kochi, India, is one of the oldest arts and history museums in Kochi managed by the Madhavan Nayar Foundation. Now, the Kerala History Museum can be experienced with interactive, engaging and experiential arts and history-based learning through audio-visual media.
This project will play a vital role in helping to preserve the history and handing it down to the future generation. It will also help us to travel back to our roots through innovative technology.
Preserving the Knowledge for Future
Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Muvattupuzha, a sub-center of Sri Ramakrishna Advaita Ashrama, Kalady established in the year 1930. The time-worn Ashrama Library building closed due to the dilapidated condition is now made its comeback to society with a new and elegant outlook to continue the Ashrama Library activities. The library contains valuable books on spirituality, history, psychology etc. authored by eminent personalities play an important role as gateways to knowledge and culture, shaping new ideas and perspectives that are central to a creative and innovative society by spreading spiritual and moral education among the masses.
CSL supported the centre for renovation and construction of a new aesthetic building. On 17th February 2022, the Vice President of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Sh. Gautamanandaji dedicated the building in a small function held at the venue where Shri. Sambath Kumar P N, AGM (CSR & Admn) CSL, Sh. Saleen A, AGM (Safety) and Sh. AK Yoosaf DM (CSR) along with reputed dignitaries of the Math.
Devan Kalagramam, MV Devan Foundation, Kollam
Devan Kalagramam is one among the well known art fraternity in Kerala is an initiative of MV Devan Foundation based at Pallimon, Kollam. The renowned Artist Shri. Kanayi Kunjiraman is the Chief Patron of the Foundation.
CSL supported for creation of Devan Art Village providing platform to artists from the global community by staying within the campus so as to foster the art and culture similar to the famous Art Village in Chozhamandalam, Tamilnadu. It also provides Nruthamandapa (dance hall) and a general conference area to perform meeting activities. Under CSR initiative, CSL extended financial support of Rs. 30 Lakhs for constructing this aesthetically designed building.
The inauguration of the building completed with the presence of various renowned Artists where Sh. Sambath Kumar PN AGM (CSR), CSL inaugurated the facilities by declaring it open for Public. Artist Sh. U Suresh, Secretary, MV Devan Foundation presided the function where Sh. Shithil Nath, Manager (Fin) and Sh. Sasindradas PS, DM (CSR) of CSL where present along with other renowned artists of the Foundation.
Soyus Arts Library and Reading room, Kadavanthra, Ernakulam
The Library has been functioning in Kadavanthra for the last four decades, catering to socio-cultural needs of the people thereby promoting cultural development of the society since 1983. CSL supported the centre for renovation and modification on recognizing the opportunities created by the library for learning and education.
On 8th September 2020, Shri. Sambath Kumar P N, AGM (CSR & Admn) CSL, inaugurated the library in the presence of Prof. D. Salim Kumar, Secretary and Shri. N C Jayachandran, President of the library.
CSL provide continuous support to libraries in recognition of their role as gateways to knowledge and culture, shaping new ideas and perspectives that are central to a creative and innovative society.
Cochin Shipyard Limited Supports Tripunithura Kathakali Kendram for Rasaranjanam Project
Rasaranjanam a 4 days long programme which includes performances, demonstrations, seminars, cholliyattom etc., covering all aspects of Kathakali. Young artists are selected to perform in this event to showcase their talent in front of an elite crowd. This program act as a talent hunt for various clubs and committees. With the objective of bringing people close to the art form by leading them to the basics of this highly stylized art form lec-dems to be effectively conducted. The young artists are being empowered by providing better opportunities and new arenas in this programme. Being an innovative entertainment art form in the field of Kathakali it helps to attract the common public and arouse interest in them towards this art.
In order to promote this traditional art form CSL supported the Tripunithura Kathakali Kendram for their Rasaranjanam project. The innovative project by the agency will definitely look forward to attract young artist in the field of Kathakali. The event conducted from 19-22 September 2019 at Kalikotta Palace, Tripunithara.
Test Cochin Shipyard Maritime Art Centre Dedicated to Gothuruth Islanders
Chavittunatakam, a typical performing art originated in the coastal belt of Kerala as a fishermen community art, is in the way of extinction. Gothuruth, a fishermen island in Ernakulam district was notorious in the past for its social evil practice of alcoholism and related issues among the bread earners of the village. But the island became famous as the cradle of Chavittunatakam, (a group action packed musical drama performance basically written on Biblical stories) because of the active involvement of the enlightened members of the civil society and with the ardent support of the local catholic church. With the emergence of many performing artists and the support that it received, the distorted social face of this village got transformed to a well accepted group bringing pride in their lives..
n order to revive this traditional performing art and to ensure the livelihood support of many a fisherman in the area, the Sports and Arts Club (SAC) backed by the local parish approached CSL seeking financial support for ‘Construction of a Permanent Stage for performing Chavittunatakam at Gothuruth.
CSL CSR Board Level Meeting on 21st July, 2014 discussed the project in detail and having found that Chavittunatakam, being one of the traditional performing art form practiced by the fishermen folk of Kerala needs to be revived with CSR support as envisaged under CSR Rules. This being a fit case for support under “revival of traditional arts and Culture’ the Board extended financial support to the tune of Rs.25.00 Lakhs.
After the agreement, SAC made all efforts to accomplish the construction work of the stage with all the latest facilities required for performing the ‘art’, under the supervision and guidance of CSL.
A unique, Shakespearian model stage for the Chavittunatakam, was ready for inauguration on 15th February, 2017. In a glittering function at Gothuruth , the inauguration of the stage was done by none other than the super Mega Star of Malayalam, Padmashree Bharat Mammooty. The function was attended by thousands of art loving people of the area along with the CSL representatives including members of different unions/organizations/federations. The General Manager (IR & Admn) gave the key note address on the occasion and highlighted various CSR initiatives of CSL. He also appreciated the efforts of SAC for their efforts to revive the traditional art. The organizers and other dignitaries appreciated CSL for its generous support for such innovative initiatives. The inaugural function was concluded with two Chavittunatakams performed by children of two selected schools.
OUTREACH CENTRE FOR KERALA KALAMANDALAM AT COCHIN
Kerala Kalamandalam is a premier institution dedicated to preserving and promoting classical performing art, particularly dedicated to ‘Kathakali’, instituted by the renowned Malayalam poet Vallathol Narayana Menon, located at a village Cheruthuruthi. .
The centre provides professional training in this art form among others and the artists from there perform in stages across the world. The centre also attracts performers and students across the world and has established itself in the tourism map.
In order to expand its reach the institution has undertaken a project on establishing an outreach Centre in Kochi with an aim to serve as a cultural hub facilitating performances and scholarly engagements for making Kerala’s traditional art forms widely accessible for tourist.
The centre required adequate furnishing and infrastructure creating a conducive environment for performance. This project is supported by Cochin Shipyard as part of the CSR initiatives.
This centre will help in enhancing visibility for attracting a diverse audience of foreign and domestic tourists. It serves as a platform for cultural exchange, creating new opportunities to engage with Kerala’s traditional art form and fostering a deep appreciation and global recognition of the rich artistic heritage.
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LIBRARY AT VALLATHOL VIDYAPEETHAM, EDAPPAL, MALAPPURAM
Vallathol Educational Trust is a Charitable Society in memory of the great Malayalam poet Mahakavi Vallathol Narayana Menon at the time of his Birth Centenary celebrations in 1977.
The aim of the society is to promote the cultural and educational advancement of the society with special focus on Malayalam and Sanskrit literature. One of the key initiatives of the trust is the Vallathol Vidyapeetham which is an institution for Research in Literature and Cultural studies. The institution has a library with a good collection of over 30.000 books including Malayalam, English, Sanskrit, Hindi and Tamil. The campus also has various educational institutions like – Regional Centre of Dhravida University, Vallthol College, Kamadhenu Sanskrit Study Centre, Boudha Sahithya Samithi.
The aim of the society is to establish an Institution for Research in Sanskrit and Indian Cultural heritage.
For this several projects have been undertaken like establishment Of Sanskrit Study Centre and Sanskrit Self study course, Translation of classical Sanskrit works to Malayalam Preparation and publishing of Sanskrit - Malayalam Dictionary etc. For achieving this aim, there is a requirement for additional improvements in the infrastructure facilities of the Institute, with the main focus on the exiting library as it need to be improved to accommodate the needs of the new Research Institute.
This project will help in improving the knowledge horizons of individuals with the help improved facilities and resources.