Thiruvananthapuram

:This article is about Thiruvananthapuram City. For information about the district , see Thiruvananthapuram district.

Culture

Thiruvananthapuram has a rich cultural background, with the rulers of erstwhile Travancore taking an active interest in development of arts and culture. Thiruvananthapuram has produced several great artists, the most famous ones being Maharaja Swathi Thirunal and Raja Ravi Verma.

Related Topics:
Swathi Thirunal - Raja Ravi Verma

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Maharaja Swathi Thirunal was a great composer and played a vital role in the development of Carnatic music. He is widely credited with introducing the violin in to the world of classical Carnatic music. A music college in his name exists today in the city. Raja Ravi Verma was an illustrious painter with global recognition. His contributions to Indian art are substantial. Most of his famous paintings are preserved at the Sree Chithra Art Gallery in the city.

Related Topics:
Swathi Thirunal - Carnatic music - Raja Ravi Verma - Indian art

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Padmanabha Swamy Temple and the fort surrounding it, the Napier Museum and Zoo, the VJT hall, Palayam Mosque and Church are among the prominent heritage buildings in the city. The Veli Lake and Shangumukham beach are home to various sculptures of noted sculptor Kanhai Kunjiraman.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thiruvananthapuram easily disguises itself as a laid back quiet city to the casual observer. However beneath it, there is a humdrum of cultural activity. The city comes to life during the festival season of Onam in AugustSeptember and during the tourist season later in the year. The state government conducts the tourism week celebrations every year during Onam with cultural events taking place at various centers in the city. The other major events include the annual flower show, the Attukal Pongala, the Aaraat at Padmanabha Swamy Temple, the Beemapally Uroos, Vettucaud Perunaal etc.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The CVN Kalari at East Fort, is world renowned center for training in Kerala's own martial art the Kalaripayattu. The Margi center offers training in many of Kerala's traditional arts including Kathakali.

Related Topics:
Kalaripayattu - Kathakali

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~