World Heritage Week Celebration at Government Vocational Higher Secondary School, Desamangalam, Thrissur Dist. from 19 th to 25th November, 2015. Under the jurisdiction of ASI, Thrissur Circle. World Heritage week is one of the rare occasions to reach out to children and youth of the country to ingrain the values of preserving the rich cultural heritage of the country. Thrissur Circle of Archaeological Survey of India celebrated World Heritage Week at Govt. Vocational Higher Secondary School, Desamangalam, Thrissur district. National Award Winner Film Director Shri. M.G Sasi, inaugurated the Photo- exhibition of Monumental Heritage in Kerala and World Heritage Monuments on 19 th November 2015 and enlightened students with his speech on the multi faceted aspect of our natural and cultural heritage. The photo exhibition was entirely dedicated for exhibiting the protected monuments of Thrissur circle, including photos of different stages of structural and chemical conservation and excavation and also world heritage sites in India and abroad. The first day session started with screening of his Movie called Hide and Seek and the film maker interacted with the students. To enrich the knowledge of public and student community in preserving our cultural heritage and to ensure their creative role in reviving our traditional dying art forms & culture ; a wide variety of exhibitions, multi media classes and cultural programmes were conducted throughout the seven day-long celebration. Various other organisations had participated and arranged exhibitions connected with this one week long programme. Kerala Kalamandalam exhibited various types of costumes, Jewellary, crowns, face mask, models, decorations and photos of Kerala s traditional classical art forms such as Kathakali, Koodiyattam,Mohiniyattam etc. To give awareness about the traditional medicinal system of Kerala National Research Institute of Panchakarma arranged an display of Surgical implements, Medicinal Herbs & the different practices of treatment in Ayurveda such as Nasyam, Vasthi,etc. All Kerala Photographers association, Thrissur district also arranged their Photography exhibition on nature and cultural heritage of Kerala which included selected photos of professional photographers. Interestingly inspired by these the student community of Desamangalam School conducted one exhibition consisting traditional agricultural implements and stamp, coins & currency of different countries and kitchen utensils of by gone days with the support of Deshamangalam Karshaka Koottyama.
In connection with this efforts were taken to revive and promote two dying art forms which were usually constrained within temple walls. A demonstration on Kalamezhuthu was done by a community called Kuruppu. In this art an image of a deity will draw with the help of 5 natural colour powders. Other art form was Tholppavakkoothu (Leather puppetry show) one of the unique art items of Kerala. The puppet models were exhibited during the seven day long programme and a performance was also arranged for the students in a dark room using light and shadow.this occasion provided a wide range of spectators to enjoy and appreciate some of the dying art forms of our land stimulated the new generation to pursue and respect the past. Two book stalls were arranged for the public. One for the Archaeological Survey of India publications and the other from the Desghamangalam library which received good response from the students and public. During this celebration various schools around the GVHS School are invited to participate in the cultural awareness programme. More than 3500 students from various schools & colleges were benefited by this awareness programmes disseminating the message of protection and preservation of our cultural heritage of nation. Each day a forum was created in the school library hall with enlightening talks led by ASI staffs like Deputy Superintending Archaeologist Kum. Smitha.S Kumar s talk on Indus Valley Civilization, Assistant Archaeologist Sri. C Kumaran s talk on An introduction on Megalithic Monuments in Kerala, and Archaeological excavations in Kerala and Gangadevi s talk on Museums role in Education. This forum enabled positive interaction with student community, teachers, artists and archaeologists. Apart from these various heritages based essay competition and drawing competitions were conducted for the students from Upper Primary level to Plus two level onwards. As per the students feedback the world heritage week celebration was a memorable and novel experience for them Digital Display at Vadakkumnatha temple As part of the World Heritage Week celebration a Digital Display system on various heritage activities installed at Vadakkumnatha temple on 24 th November, 2015. The Digital Display system was inaugurated by Shri. M.P. Bhaskaran Nair, President, Cochin Devasom Board, Thrissur. Shri K. R Haridas, Spl. Commissioner, Cochin Devasom Board, Prof. Madhavankutty, Thrissur, Smt. Sujatha Karunakaran Dy. General Manager, Canara Bank, Circle Office, Ernakulam graced the occasion through felicitation speech.
Validictory Function The closing ceremony of the celebration was commenced with a valedictory function at the same school on 25 th Nov. 2015. Smt M. Manjula, President, Grama Panchayat, Desamangalam was the Chief Guest and she inaugurated the Valedictory function. The function was presided by Smt.T.C. Bushra, Block Panchayat Member, Wadakkancherry and delivered a Key note address on World Heritage by Smt. T Sreelakshmi, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, Thrissur circle. Smt.Beena Gopan, Grama Panchayat Member, Desamangalam, Dr. K.K. Sunderasan, Registrar, Kerala Kalamandalam, Dr. M.V Acharya, Director, National Research Institute of Panchakarma, Shri. Sasidharan, Secretary Desamangalam Public library, Sri K. Jayachandran, PTA, GVHS School, Deamangalam, Shri P.A Abdul Rasak, Chairman SMC, GVHSS Desamangalam, Sri V,V Balakrishnan, Headmaster GVHSSchool, Desamangalam graced the occasion through a felicitation speech on 25 th November at 3.00 PM.
Inauguration of photo exhibition by Sri.M.G.Sasi, film Director.
ASI Publications Kerala Kalamandalam Exhibition Display
National Research Institute for Panchakarma Exhibition Display
Public library Desamangalam Books Exhibition Display Puppet show Display [Tholpavakkoothu]
Photographers association Exhibition hall
Student s collection
Essay competition [20 11 15] Seminar: lecture 1 [20 11 15]
Drawing competition [21 11 15]
Seminar: lecture 2 [21 11 15]
Kalamezhuthu [22 11 15]
Photo exhibition hall [23 11 15] Seminar: lecture 3 [23 11 15]
Puppet show [Tholpavakkoothu] 23 11 2015 Photo exhibition hall [24 11 15]
Seminar: lecture 4 [24 11 15]
Photo exhibition hall [24 11 15]
Digital display inauguration at Sree Vadakkumnatha Temple, Thrissur On 24 11 2015 at 5pm
Valedictory function [25 11 2015]
Prize distribution ceremony