Kashi Art Gallery will be hosting a sculptures and paintings exhibition – ‘Comfort Zones’ on 12^th February at Fort Kochi from 6:30 pm onwards. Comfort Zones will showcase exhibits portrayed by artist Anoli Perera. Anoli Perera was born in Colombo and is a self taught artist, she is currently based in Colombo and works as a full time professional artist.  She has been part of the wave of artists in the 1990s who have professed a new ideological position in the art production in relation to the contemporary art knowledge and social context in Sri Lanka. She has been trained as a stone carver in the USA and has had number of art exhibitions in Sri Lanka as well as internationally. Her art practice of over 15 years includes painting, sculpture, installations and photo-performances.  This event will conclude on 10^th March. We look forward to seeing you there.

Pragathi – All India Coast and Management Accounting student fest will begin on 18^th February. Pragathi is a two days event and will be held in Cochin and is being organized by the Cochin Chapter of the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India (ICWAI). Pragathi is the flagship programme of the Cost and management Accounting (CMA) student s of Cochin and is conducted every year here in Cochin. The main of this meet is to develop creativity and bring students from various part of the country under one roof. Pragathi includes various kinds of knowledge and management games, seminars and quiz, along with cultural programmes. This year, over 1000 students from across the country is expected to participate in the most popular CMA students meet in the southern region. This edition of Pragathi will conclude on 19^th February. The Pragathi 2012 is a Indo-lankan CMA students meet and for more details, login to: http://www.icwaicochin.com/

Toc H Institute of Science and technology (TIST) is game to host their techno-cultural fest event ADVAY 2012 from the 8^th to 10^th February. Advay is the right platform for all those special breeds to showcase the gift of talent and knowledge. The 2012 edition of Advay invites you all to participate in this colourful extravaganza. About 50 colleges from across the state is expected to take part in more than 50 events of the Advay 2012. This event is characterized with the days jam-packed with events and competitions, which present one with an opportunity to showcase their talent in front of the vast crowds and then the nights where, under the title of Professional shows, the best professional artistes from India enthrall the packed open-air theatre of TIST.

Advay 2012 promises to be bigger and better than ever before this time around. The highlights of Advay ’12 are:

-          ROADIEZ (for girls only)

-          Voice of Advay

-          Stalls to suit all tastes

-          Automobile Pavilion

-          Spectacular performance from Benny Dayal and many more….

What could be really better than this event and possibly where else would you be this week?

Folks get ready to step into the wonderland of Advay 2012. Be there.

For more details visit: www.advay2012.in

One World Foundation for Research and Comparative studies in Performing Arts and Traditional Knowledge is conducting a one-month Conceptual Dance & Theater Workshop from February 4^th to March 3^rd, 2012 at P.T.C hall, press club road, Ernakulam. Candidates well versed in Classical, Western, Contemporary dance & Theater may take part. Selected candidates can perform in RAGAM & MANOJs CONCEPTUAL DANCE SHOW which is to be held on the month of March 2012.

Now what could be better than this for all those dance lovers in Cochin?

Please Contact: 9447530633 for more details as soon as possible.

Vanitha Utsav 2012 is ongoing at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Cochin for those who love to splurge as well as for those who hold on tight to the purse strings. A wide variety of goodies ranging from electronics gadgets to clothing to accessories to catering and food are lined up suiting to every kinds of budget. You would find many amazing items throughout every colourful pavilion. At the platinum pavilion one would find home-appliances, FMCG products, clothes, shoes and many more exclusively from Delhi. On a corner which is lit up by the beautiful mural painting will be definitely the Rajasthani Pavilion showcasing their talent, hardwork and creativity for the first time in Kerala that to at a very competitive price range ranging from Rs 300-36000 for this Vanitha Utsav. Another item that catches the eye at the fair is the wall mounting shoe-rack (very much compatible for the flat-dwellers) at an attractive price of Rs 3600.

Besides the multitude of stalls and goods, there are also lucky draws, prizes and discounts included in this edition of the Vanitha Utsav. The crowds are drawing in as this time the Vanitha Utsav is green andit doesn’t stop there, adding more colour to the fest are the entertainment shows held in the evening. The fest is on till February 5^th from 11 am till 9 pm. I bet you will be spoilt for choice at the colourful pavilion. So Be there.

If you have been one of the thousands of travel-weary commuters who were caught in the perpetual traffic jams at Thevara Junction and Edapally railway crossing, you can now heave a sigh of relief. The much awaited Venduruthy-Vikrant Bridge will be inaugurated at Katari by Defence Minister A K Antony on 4^th February. These bridges will really prove to be a new lifeline for kochiites as it will ease traffic snarls. These bridges will act as the main connectivity for West-Cochin to the main-land.

Venduruthy-Vikrant is a two lane traffic bridge stretched on a distance of 625 metres with a wide 7.5 metres carriageway and a 1.5 metre foothpath on both sides connecting Ernakulam with Wilingdon Island. The new bridge has been named Vebduruthy-Vikrant, after India’s first aircraft carrier INS Vikrant following a request made by the Indian Navy which helped the Kerala Road Fund Board in completing the project. The 11.23 metres wide bridge is built at an expense of 37.50 crores INR with the joint effort of the Indian Navy. The construction of this project started in January 2006. This new bridge will facilitate the movement of more than 20000 vehicles per day thereby decongesting the traffic blocks throughout Cochin during the peak hours. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, MPs P Rajeev and Charles Dias, Mayor Tony Chammany, MLAs Hibi Eden and Dominic Presentation, District Collector P I Sheik Pareeth, PWD secretary Manoj Joshi, Cochin Port Trust chairman Paul Antony, Cochin Shipyard  chairman Commodore Karthik Subramaniam, Corporation Opposition Leader K J Jacob, councillors N Venugopal and Elizabeth will take part in the function. Vice-Admiral K N Sushil, Flag Officer of the Southern Naval Command, will deliver the felicitation address.

Singing talent – Shreya Ghoshal will be inaugurating the re-located jewellery showroom of Joy Alukkas (one of the world’s largest jewellery retail chains) in Cochin on 5^th February. Shreya Ghoshal will perform the best of her melodies in Hindi, Malayalam and Tamil at a musical night organized by Joy Alukkas Jewellery Group, Marine Drive, Cochin. Shreya Ghoshal is one of the most sought after playback singers in bollywood with four National and four Filmfare awards to her credit. She sung Malayalam songs in over 10 films. Get prepared to be enchanted with her lovely voice, charm and poise. Don’t miss out this precious chance to witness this nightingale performing live exclusively for you all music lovers. Be there.

JTPac is now all set to groove you with JUS’ JAMM after a mind blowing dance performance by Shobana last week. JUS’ JAMM is a nostalgic musical night brought together by a band of musicians to express their love for music especially the classic rocks and pops from the 60s, 70s and 80s. The band will belt out all the popular favorites ranging from Eagles, Beatles, Clapton, Santana to whichever you name. JUS’ JAMM is on February 3^rd, 7pm at JTPac, Cochin. JUS’ JAMM is a collaboration of musicians from some of the leading bands in Kerala – Kalinga, Wrenz United and The Illusion merging to bring out the spirit from the oldies to their public performance. This new concept of jamming is definitely going to be a lot of fun. Jamming is when musicians enjoy themselves the most, freely expressing themselves in the relaxed company of other musicians and music lovers.

The details of the band are:

Lead Guitar and Vocal: Eugene Isaacs

Rhythm Guitar: Peter Nolasco

Lead Vocal: Dr. Ajit N Babu

There will be also some guest artistes performing in this event as a add-on to the musical flavor like

Bass guitarist and Vocals – Biju James from Wrenz United, Keyboard Player – John William from Kalinga and Drummer and Vocal – Carl Frenais from The Illusion.

Be there to flow through a new concept of Jamming exclusively at JTPac, Cochin.

Book your seats online today at www.jtpac.org

Venous Association of India (VAI) is organizing its fifth annual conference VAICON 2012 on venous diseases in Cochin on 27^th and 28^th January. VAICON is the venue for discussion on various aspects of venous diseases, latest diagnostic tools and treatments. The main theme of this conference will be understanding the venous disease. VAICON 2012 will discuss on successful case histories, research results and study reports by veteran doctors.

VAICON 2012 will be held at the IMA Convention Centre, Cochin. VAICON 2012 is an event where various experienced and international experts and local eminent leaders will enlighten on all aspects of various venous diseases that Indians suffer like varicose veins, venous thrombosis. They will also focus on new methods of diagnosis and latest treatments. Don’t miss out this event as the best of everything in terms of scientific content and local hospitality will be showcased. Register yourselves in www.vaicon2012.com

One World Foundation for Research and Comparative studies in Performing Arts and Traditional Knowledge is conducting Dance Audition on 26^th January 2012, 10 am at PTC Hall, Press Club Road, Cochin. Candidates who are well versed in Classical, Western and contemporary dance are invited to apply. Selected candidates will have a one-month workshop for the conceptual dance, which is to be held during March 2012.One World Foundation for Research and Comparative Studies in Performing Arts and Traditional Knowledge is a unique interactive platform for the performing artist.

For more details regarding this audition and for queries please contact:

Manoj Kumar M

One World Foundation –  9447530633.