Creation of an Athapookalam

Athapookalam or Onapookalam is the flower bed or flower arrangements done during Onam in Kerala. It is a distant cousin of Rangoli in North India and Kolam in Tamil Nadu. Traditionally, the making of the Pookalam begins on the Atham day, ten days before Thiruonam.Onam is an ancient festival which still survives in modern times. Kerala's rice harvest festival and the Festival of Rain Flowers, which fall on the malayalam month of Chingam

This year me and my colleges were putting lots of effort to on the creation of Athapookalam.The moment date declared for Athappokalam competition at KIMS ,we all started planning of collection of money and  finalization of design...As we had a bunch of amazing chaps in our team all went well..With out allocation of the role ,each and every one took their role voluntarily ..That makes this event a big fun and success...The competition is marked between the departments ..We were representing our IT department.
The day before the night of Athapookalam ,a team of Sunil,Abid,Arun,Rajasenan and Thamarai went to Thovala to purchase flowers. Thovala is a village well known for flower cultivation.Thovala alos knows as color full village of south India.Next day morning they reached back with wide of verity of flowers.A team of Praveen,Varalexmi,Jabeen Khan,Rakhi,Thamarai,Rajasenana,Aneesh KH,Aneesh,Sajilal,Shabeen and Eldose started to separate petals out of each flower.As it much time consuming process its last for hours .


Segregating flowers for arrangement

We all brain stormed on the design from different pattern to modern designs, what we called a new generation designs...Finally the vote succeeded for  modern designs.So we went for  modern design than the traditional pattern.

Drawing design for floral arrangement

We started the  drawing around 9 pm...After the design finalized the first  petals started to arranges on the Peafowl design ..

Making of Peafowl

We used blue petals with the combination of finely chopped green leaves to create peafowl body.The starting went smoothly.When it reached on peafowl feathers , we been confused what is best fit to the peafowl feather design..Fortunately we had some fine leaves of ever green plant .We tried that and it was looking amazing on the white floral back ground.The team members like Suraj,Aneesh KH,Arun,Thamarai,Jabeen Khan,Sujin,Richard,Rajasenan ,Rakhi and Aneesh contribute their role on arrangement to get best out of the creativity.Some was busy with chopping flowers and leaves and some helps to arrange the petals..In over all it was a fabulous team effort.

Creating Peafowl feathers with ever green leaves

Combining the both designs

 The design consist of half peafowl and half Kerala traditional dance Kathakali`s face.The fabulous team effort brought the tough design to a wonderful creativity  by the restless continuous 10 hrs effort.By the time we finishes the outer border the clock was tickling to 5am...No one realize how fast the time flies..It was a wonderful team effort and ever lasting memory which helps to brought our creativity in reality.

Final outcome

Posing the team with our honorable Chairman Dr.Sahadulla

Various designs at a glance

Dragon fly at river side

This is the snap from the river bank of Kallar river.This amazing creature have a wonderful color combination.

Heron at harbor

Capturing the moving subject is a fun…some time will get a sharp shots..Here is my try.

Starting of Summer

About to fly ....close shot of one of the pappus found on my backyard.

Hope for the best

Yesterday I was on my roof top veg garden to look after my vege plants...I noticed this neighbor who is living on the coconut tree next to my house..He is living there with his spouse..Every morning they will be on top of the near by coconut leaves and watching my activities.This shot is captured while he is watching his spouse on nest from near by coconut leaf.

Shot from Gavi

This shot from my trip to Gavi ,the small hill top village .Natural beauty of the place is really touching.Gavi is part of the Periyar Tiger reserve.Gavi's evergreen forests are abundant with wildlife including the Tiger, elephants, Leopards, Bears, Indian Gaur, sambar, barking and mouse deers, Lion Tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Marten and more than 250 species of birds

Lion-tailed macaque

This shot of Lion-tailed macaque took on the way to Thekadi.Lion-tailed macaque is a diurnal rainforest dweller. It is a good climber and spends a majority of its life in the upper canopy of tropical moist evergreen forests.Do you know interesting facts of Lion-tailed macaques are, they spend the majority of their lives in the treetops where they will find food and safety.When a lion-tailed macaque pushes out his lips and elevates his head, for example, he's basically sending over a courteous "hello." If you ever hear one of these guys yawning, however, watch out, as that is a proclamation of higher status and assertiveness -- and perhaps even upcoming aggressive behavior.

Mom & baby

This is a snap during my elephant safari at Periyar Tiger reserve forest.Mom was extra cautious on the kid .We were in pin drop silence to reach out this group .How ever they able to detect our presence and changes on the surroundings.After few minutes the whole group disappeared in the deep forest.I been told that  elephants can communicate over long distances by producing a sub-sonic rumble that can travel over the ground faster than sound through air. Other elephants receive the messages through the sensitive skin on their feet and trunks. It is believed that this is how potential mates and social groups communicate.Elephants are extremely intelligent animals and have memories that span many years. It is this memory that serves matriarchs well during dry seasons when they need to guide their herds, sometimes for tens of miles, to watering holes that they remember from the past. They also display signs of grief, joy, anger and play.