06 ANCIENT CITY, TIMELESS GR ACE
ATHIRA KRISHNA
Athira Krishna, an Indian classical violin
prodigy, is a forerunner in her music field and
has made a name for herself both nationally
and internationally. Her many accolades
include being invited twice to perform at the
official residence of the President of India,
creating a Guinness World Record in 2004 for
a 32-hour non-stop violin concert dedicated
to global peace and harmony, and winning the
Princess of Strings Award at the Rotasia World
Conference in 2006.reflections made in the corridors of Kuthiramalika by light and darkness
peeping in. The way the horse sculptures grace the palace, together
with the structure of the peepholes, allow the aesthetics of the palace to
resonate in pristine brilliance.
Performing at the Tagore Theatre for the Soorya Dance and Music
Festival is a one-of-a-kind, fun-filled experience for me. Similarly,
another beautiful platform for the performing arts is the Vayiloppilly
Samskruthi Bhavan, a traditional building now used as a cultural
complex. The cultural weight of the venue allows me to ascend to a
different level every time I perform there.
Kerala has a unique cuisine culture and there are even more subtle
variations in every district. Thiruvananthapuram also has its own flavour,
evident even in the famed Kerala sadhya (Kerala-style banquet). The
ingredients used in Thiruvananthapuram vary slightly from the rest of
Kerala, as does the taste, and there is a preference for spiciness.
Thiruvananthapuram’s inji (ginger) curry does not contain jaggery
(unrefined sugarcane), which adds sweetness. Another distinct item
served along with the tiffin menu is the unique combination of rasa vada
(curry-soaked fritters) and pappadams! Thiruvananthapuram’s cuisine
can also be experienced at Sree Arul Jyothi Vegetarian Restaurant, one of
the oldest vegetarian restaurants in the city, famed for its dosa varieties.
Thiruvananthapuram has some of the finest beaches in India, such
as that at Kovalam. Kovalam means “a grove of coconut trees” and true
to its name, the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees. Kovalam
is special to me for as a child, I played many shows at the resorts there.
Proximity to the sea awakens an inner celebration, and I can spend hours
watching the ocean, the rivulets and the massive crashing waves. AGP05 Kovalam Beach: Kovalam means “a grove of
coconut trees” and true to its name the village
offers an endless sight of coconut trees05Blaine Harrington III/Corbis