Latest news with #Veerappan
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Did Veerappan Really Play the Flute? Unveiling the Hidden Musical Heritage of Tamil Nadu
Kinnaram is made of sun-dried pumpkin shells. There is mention of the kinnaram in Rajaraja Chola's time in Silappathikaram Tamil Nadu has a long association with folk and tribal instruments, and is probably the state with the highest number in India, says S A V Elanchezian, professor at Thiagarajar College of Engineering. However, only a few of these have been studied and recorded. The panars, especially, says Elanchezian, were musically inclined and used to sing, play multiple instruments and dance. 'Sangam literature has references to a multitude of such instruments, many of which are the precursors of several contemporary instruments. For example, the mridangam is a derivative of the thannumai which finds mention in the Silappathikaram,' he says. Similarly, the manamuzhavu later became the thavil. On July 31, 'Uncommon Instruments Awareness Day', here's a look at a few unique instruments. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Lambadi flute or Veerappan kuzhal One wouldn't associate sandalwood smuggler Veerappan with music but it is said he used to play this 2m-long bamboo flute, even during the infamous kidnapping of Kannada actor Rajkumar. 'Veerappan knew all about tribal instruments after spending years in the forest,' says Babu Susan, from Thiruvannamalai, who collects rare folk instruments as well as recreates them based on literature and interactions with tribal people. The flute was played by the lambadi tribes of Sathyamangalam forests and Hosur as well as shepherds and has ten holes instead of the usual six. The mouthpiece is at the centre, and so the flute can produce two entirely different sets of sounds, says Babu. The instrument is kept vertical while playing, says Elanchezian. Mugaveenai This wind instrument is the main accompaniment in street theatre or therukoothu. It is a smaller version and forerunner of the nadaswaram used by street and folk musicians of South India, says Elanchezian. Like the shehnai or the clarinet, it's found only in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu today. Ghata singhari An example for ghata singhari's sound is the song 'Manasukkulla naayana chatham naan ketten' by Ilayaraja from the 1990 film 'Mallu Vetti Minor' where it can be heard accompanying the tabla. This folk instrument has been used in Ilaiyaraaja's 'Pachamalarpoovu' as well. The body is made of clay sourced from the Vaigai River and the drum head is made of goat skin, tuned by applying water. Nam mizhavu Known as mouth harp or Jew's harp in the west, and 'morsing' in northern India, the folk instrument goes back centuries and has mention in Sangam literature. The funny twang it produces is often used in comedy sequences in movies and memes, says Babu. It is also used as an accompaniment to the violin often in songs praising Murugan and in Carnatic used to be made of bamboo, and is called gogona by the Bihu tribes of the Northeast. Kinnaram Pumpkin shells might seem too delicate for a musical instrument, but it was what the kinnaram, especially the Adivasi version of it, was made of. The shells were dried in the sun for two weeks. A single-stringed instrument, it's played with plant roots. A derivative of the ornate yazh, it was played by the panars who used to wander around playing songs of Kannagi, Kovalan kathakali and Rama padal. 'They would sing and collect rice and grain from houses, thus earning their livelihood. ' Today it is found mostly in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. 'In Erode and Arunachalam, there are a few people who play it, but they are very old,' says Babu. There is mention of the kinnaram in Rajaraja Chola's time in Silappathikaram Gilukiluppai Similar to the current day's Maraca, the gilukiluppai sounds like a rattle and is often used to create the sounds of rain in movies, says Babu. 'It used to be made of the seeds of arali (oleander), which are toxic.' The instrument is a derivative of the ellari or arikural thattai mentioned in the Sangam age, says Elanchezian. Kokkarai The horn-like Kokkarai originates from the kanikkar tribe in Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli. The upper part of the instrument is shaped like a rooster's comb, hence the name. The kanis worshipped mountain gods and so the kokkarai was played as a prayer for rain and good yields, as well as to protect the forests, says Babu. Thavandai Known as pambai and udukkai in the Thondaimandalam region, this double drum is played at local festivals such as at Mariyamman temple. The player sings simultaneously. Similar to the Idakka in Kerala, this folk instrument can be traced to Chidambaram and Kumbakonam, says Babu. 'It's made of goatskin, and only few know how to play it today.' Magudi Snakes don't have ears, but snake charmers have always played this instrument, which became background music for snake sequences and dances in movies as well. A single reed instrument made of bottle gourd and bamboo joined by beeswax, it was used by the Kattunayakans and Irula communities, says Babu who has collected the instrument from them in the forests of Nilgiris and Attappadi.
Hans India
16-07-2025
- Hans India
TG seizure sparks fears of ivory smuggling in AP
Tirupati: The Seshachalam forests, long plagued by red sanders smuggling, are now under scrutiny for a potentially more sinister illegal trade: ivory. For nearly four decades, these ancient forests have been plundered for their precious red sanders, but a recent seizure in Telangana has ignited fears of an elephant ivory smuggling resurgence, reminiscent of notorious operations like those of sandalwood smuggler Veerappan. Concerns escalated after the LB Nagar Special Operations Team (SOT) in Telangana confiscated a pair of elephant tusks along with red sanders logs during a recent raid. The arrested individual, Rekulakunta Prasad from Andhra Pradesh's Annamaiah district, is a known figure in red sanders smuggling circles. Police sources indicate Prasad was transporting the tusks for sale on the international market, where they could fetch an estimated Rs 3 crore. This incident has prompted Andhra Pradesh forest officials to launch an urgent investigation into whether the Seshachalam forests are once again being exploited for ivory. A deeper look into the Forest Department's records reveals a troubling coincidence. In 2013, an elephant carcass was discovered in Talakona within the Seshachalam range. Its tusks were officially extracted, detailed records of their length, weight, and girth were meticulously maintained, and they were stored at the Bhakarapet Forest Office. However, in 2023, these very tusks, along with two 12-bore pump-action guns, were reported stolen from the forest office. A theft case (Crime No. 87/2023) was registered at the Bhakarapet police station, but the missing items remain untraced.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Farmers plan chakka jam on July 1 against Shaktipeeth
Kolhapur: Farmers' leader Raju Shetti on Thursday claimed those opposing the Shaktipeeth highway project are being treated more harshly than 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab, as even Kasab was allowed to present his case, provided a lawyer, and given 'biryani', but farmers' rtights are being disregarded. Shetti, speaking in Dharashiv on Thursday, said govt is issuing notices and conducting land surveys without farmers' consent, using police force to do so. "CM Devendra Fadnavis says there is no opposition to the Shaktipeeth Highway. If that is the case, then why do the administrative officials need to visit farmlands for land surveys with a heavy police force? Are the farmers Veerappan? A highway can't be built without land mapping. We won't allow the survey to take place. If they try to survey the land with the help of drones, then farmers very well know how to use 'gophan (slingshot)'. Maintaining law and order is govt's duty; we farmers won't be responsible if a law and order situation arises." On Thursday evening, an online meeting of farmers and public representatives opposing the Shaktipeeth Highway took place. The meeting resulted in a unanimous decision to intensify the chakka jam protest on July 1. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The anime RPG everyone's talking about is finally free! Nikke: Goddess Of Victory Play Now Undo Participants included MLC Satej Patil, MLA Vishwajeet Kadam, MP Vishal Patil, MP Omaraje Nimbalkar, MP Nagesh Patil, MLA Kailas Patil, MLA Arun Lad, MLA Dilip Sopal, MLA Chandrakant Navghare, MLA Pravin Swami, former MP Raju Shetti, and farmers from all 12 districts. Addressing the meeting, Satej Patil said, "We will raise our voice against Shaktipeeth in the monsoon session of the legislative assembly and legislative council. Along with this, now it is time to fight a battle against govt by taking to the roads. On July 1, a chakka jam protest will be held on the day which is celebrated as Maharashtra Agriculture Day. Police are warned that they should not interfere and harass farmers. " Meanwhile, minister Hasan Mushrif told the media in Kolhapur on Thursday, "Shaktipeeth is a dream project of CM Devendra Fadnavis. Farmers and public representatives will be taken into confidence. Three or four different options will be put forward. Where there is opposition, a different alignment will be made, and the highway will be constructed."
India.com
10-05-2025
- General
- India.com
7 Army Books That Capture The Bravery Behind The Uniform
( Image Credits: Amazon) This book reveals the stories from surgical strikes to anti-terror operations, which our soldiers did without hesitation. This book provides the incredible stories of our brave soldiers, the recipients of the Param Vir Chakra, and also shows their humanity. This book was penned by the Army Chief officer who led the war during the Kargil war. And it tells the courage of Indian soldiers during the difficult times in Indian History. If you are inspired by the army offices this book is for you. It tells the story of youth army officers. This book focuses on the Meghna Heli Bridge operation during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. This book captures the lesser-known tales from the 1971 war and the stories of young officers with their brave decisions. This book was written by an IPS officer who tells about the final operation that killed notorious bandit Veerappan. Read Next Story
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Eye on pie, Greater Bengaluru Authority may bring Electronics City under its purview
Bengaluru: In a potentially contentious development aimed at increasing revenue for Bengaluru's development, speculation suggests that the new Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) might incorporate autonomous industrial townships like Electronics City Industrial Township Authority ( ELCITA ) to expand the tax base for city corporations planned under the new legislators who worked with the GBA committee told TOI about possible plans to acquire control of funds generated by ELCITA. "The debate on adding and defining newer areas under GBA will be based on how much it will cost Bengaluru to develop these outlying areas," said a city legislator. "When a self-sufficient township like ELCITA is available to provide surplus revenue, then we definitely cannot ignore it."However, ELCITA officials say their authority's revenue structure receives unwarranted attention. "At present our tax revenue is approximately Rs 29-30 crore per annum. This is just a drop in the ocean for a city like Bengaluru which requires thousands of crores," an ELCITA official chairperson V Veerappan told TOI that they have not received any official communication regarding GBA's potential takeover of the industrial township. "We are a body that has been notified by the govt and protected under law, and we intend to remain that way. We have not received any official communication stating otherwise," Veerappan ministers themselves maintain that no decisions have been finalised regarding areas to be included in the new GBA."It is too premature to consider which areas will be added to GBA and which will not," said Krishna Byre Gowda, revenue minister and Byatarayanapura MLA. "The act is yet to be notified. The govt also needs to convene a meeting of Bengaluru legislators and ministers to discuss the act. As of now, no such plans are afoot."Notably, distinct draft regulations to establish ELCITA-style townships, designed to reduce state expenditure, remain pending govt approval.
