Changampuzha Park
Encyclopedia
The Changampuzha Park is a popular location for various cultural activities in the coastal city of Kochi, Kerala
, India
. It is situated at Edappally, the birth place of the great poet Changampuzha Krishna Pillai, on the side of the National Highway leading to Aluva
. The beautifully laid-out Changampuzha park is popular among children, elderly persons and others. It serves as a venue for several art and cultural programmes of importance. The park is maintained by GCDA, and houses the Changampuzha Samskarika Kendram (Changampuzha Cultural Society). The park also serves as a live monument to the evergreen romantic malayalam poet, Changampuzha Krishna Pillai
. The park also houses a statue of the great poet.
. However, until the formation of the Changampuzha Samskarika Kendram, the park was often home to anti-social elements of the city. However, with the establishment of CSK, things started to change. In 2001-2002, the Executive Committee of the Kendram decided to conduct a workshop of veterans in the fields of various channels of art worldwide and present with their participation manifold cultural programmes in the Park, extending over an uninterrupted period of three weeks. This multi dimensional exercise named "Viswa Kala Sangamam". This was an astounding success, and the organization started to conduct events on a regular basis. The significant events held over the years are documented at. The officials of the Changampuzha Samskarika Kendram, through their hard work, and by associating themselves with various cultural bodies like Lokadharmi, Sangeetha Sadas and the Kathakali Aswathaka sanghom, and giving them a free stage to perform, brought in a different ambience to the place over the years.
, traditional theatre, realistic drama etc. The park has a children's play area which has seesaws, slides, swing and a merry-go-round. There are two circular rooms in the park which serve as recreation rooms, of which one is used for playing chess and carroms and houses a television and radio. A real IN172 aeroplane stands proudly at one end of the park, facing the national highway. Works of art, created during sculpture camps held in the park have been installed in the park. In addition to this, the park has a statue of the late poet, Changampuzha Krishna Pillai
.
Kavyamoola: This event is held on the second Sunday of every month starting at 1600 hours. During this event, budding young poets present poems composed by themselves. The fourth anniversary of Kavyamoola was celebrated in 2006. During this event, noted Kathakali artist and poet, Kalamandalam Keshavan was all praise for the young poets who regularly turn up at Kavyamoola and their works.
Akshara Sloka Sadas: This event, which is held on the fourth Sunday of every month starting at 1400 hours usually attracts at least 35 experts in who engage in Aksharaslokam
recitals. On an annual basis, Akshara Sloka competitions are held for school students.
Malayalam Day Celebrations: On November 1 every year (the day of the formation of the state of Kerala), a public meeting of eminent people in Malayalam literature is held followed by recital of poems and Thiruvathirakali.
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. It is situated at Edappally, the birth place of the great poet Changampuzha Krishna Pillai, on the side of the National Highway leading to Aluva
Aluva
Aluva , is a suburb of the city of Kochi, situated north of the city center and a municipality in Ernakulam district, Kerala, India. Aluva is also a major industrial center of the state....
. The beautifully laid-out Changampuzha park is popular among children, elderly persons and others. It serves as a venue for several art and cultural programmes of importance. The park is maintained by GCDA, and houses the Changampuzha Samskarika Kendram (Changampuzha Cultural Society). The park also serves as a live monument to the evergreen romantic malayalam poet, Changampuzha Krishna Pillai
Changampuzha Krishna Pillai
Changampuzha Krishna Pillai was a celebrated Malayalam poet from Kerala, India, known almost exclusively for his romantic elegy Ramanan which was written in 1936 and sold over 100,000 copies...
. The park also houses a statue of the great poet.
History
The foundation stone for the Changampuzha Memorial Art centre was laid by the then Chief Minister of Kerala, C. Achutha MenonC. Achutha Menon
Chelat Achutha Menon was a senior leader of the Communist Party of India . He was the Chief Minister of Kerala state for two terms. The first term was from 1 November 1969 to 1 August 1970 and the second 4 October 1970 to 25 March 1977. Achutha Menon is widely considered as the best Chief Minister...
. However, until the formation of the Changampuzha Samskarika Kendram, the park was often home to anti-social elements of the city. However, with the establishment of CSK, things started to change. In 2001-2002, the Executive Committee of the Kendram decided to conduct a workshop of veterans in the fields of various channels of art worldwide and present with their participation manifold cultural programmes in the Park, extending over an uninterrupted period of three weeks. This multi dimensional exercise named "Viswa Kala Sangamam". This was an astounding success, and the organization started to conduct events on a regular basis. The significant events held over the years are documented at. The officials of the Changampuzha Samskarika Kendram, through their hard work, and by associating themselves with various cultural bodies like Lokadharmi, Sangeetha Sadas and the Kathakali Aswathaka sanghom, and giving them a free stage to perform, brought in a different ambience to the place over the years.
Details
The Park has a platform which measures 40 feet X 40 feet, opposite to the old platform which was much smaller. This platform serves as an open-air auditorium for various performances including KathakaliKathakali
Kathakali is a highly stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion...
, traditional theatre, realistic drama etc. The park has a children's play area which has seesaws, slides, swing and a merry-go-round. There are two circular rooms in the park which serve as recreation rooms, of which one is used for playing chess and carroms and houses a television and radio. A real IN172 aeroplane stands proudly at one end of the park, facing the national highway. Works of art, created during sculpture camps held in the park have been installed in the park. In addition to this, the park has a statue of the late poet, Changampuzha Krishna Pillai
Changampuzha Krishna Pillai
Changampuzha Krishna Pillai was a celebrated Malayalam poet from Kerala, India, known almost exclusively for his romantic elegy Ramanan which was written in 1936 and sold over 100,000 copies...
.
Major Recurring Activities in the Park
The contents in this section have been obtained from information inKavyamoola: This event is held on the second Sunday of every month starting at 1600 hours. During this event, budding young poets present poems composed by themselves. The fourth anniversary of Kavyamoola was celebrated in 2006. During this event, noted Kathakali artist and poet, Kalamandalam Keshavan was all praise for the young poets who regularly turn up at Kavyamoola and their works.
Akshara Sloka Sadas: This event, which is held on the fourth Sunday of every month starting at 1400 hours usually attracts at least 35 experts in who engage in Aksharaslokam
Aksharaslokam
Akshara Slokam is a traditional way of Sloka chanting, a poetic entertainment developed in the Malayalam language of Kerala, India. It is in a classical format with strict rules on the meter of quatrains called slokas or mukthaka. A number of scholars sit to recite either Sanskrit or Malayalm...
recitals. On an annual basis, Akshara Sloka competitions are held for school students.
Malayalam Day Celebrations: On November 1 every year (the day of the formation of the state of Kerala), a public meeting of eminent people in Malayalam literature is held followed by recital of poems and Thiruvathirakali.