mohanlalonline.com

Mohanlal was born on May 21, 1960(which incidentally makes him a Taurean, and he seems to fit the bill) in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala State (India) to Sri Viswanathan Nair and Smt. Santhakumari. He also had an elder brother named Pyare Lal. In his mother's own words, 'quite, a very quite child' is how we can characterize young Mohanlal.

He did his schooling from Mudavanmukal School and Model School (Thiruvananthapuram) and completed his BCom from M.G. College (Thiruvananthapuram). Incidentally, he knows famous director and his personal good friend Priyadarsan(with whom he has worked in the maximum no. of films -27) from childhood. Though not the best of friends at the time (Priyan recalls them fighting over the same girls), they had one common passion that brought them together-Cinema. Priyadarsan still fondly remembers the hours they'd spend together in the college canteen discussing cinema.

It is a little known fact that Mohanlal won a Best Actor Award when in the sixth standard in school, an award usually won only by the people from tenth standard. His genuine interest led him and his friends to establish a company named 'Bharath Cine Group'. On September 3, 1978 they began shooting for 'Thiranottam'. The team included Suresh Kumar, Unni, Priyadarsan, S Kumar, Ashok Kumar among others. Mohanlal played the role of a mentally challenged servant in the film. The location for shooting was in and around Mohanlal's house at Mudavanmukal and Suresh's house. Even after tiding over financial problems, the film ran into rough weather with the Censor Board and was never released.

But this setback did little to sway the hold of deep love for acting. Even when in college, he went with friends to Chennai (then Madras)-one of the melting pots for South Indian Film Industry-in search of a job as an actor. They occupied Room No 3 of the famous Swamy's lodge. This is when they came across an ad in the Malayala Manorama daily looking for a youngster for a role in a film. Unhappy with the way he looked in photograph, he declined from applying. But Suresh, aware of his natural talent, secretly sent his photograph anyway. Mohanlal received a telegram the next day and very soon was displaying his skills in front of an interview panel comprising of the likes of Fazil, Sibi Malayil and Jijo. As a result, he received the role of the villain in Fazil's 'Manyil Virinya Pookal'.

This began his fulltime career as an actor in Malayalam films. A workhorse, he would at one time have 35-40 releases in a year. His major break came in 1986 with the all-time hit 'Rajavinde Makan'. This was also the year when he married Suchitra, daughter of a former actor of Tamil films, Balaji.

He won his first State Award for the film T .P. Balagopal M.A (1986). He has won 4 of them to date. He won his first Filmfare Award for the film Sanmasullavarkku Samadhaanam (1986). He has won 5 Filmfare Awards to date. He won his first National Best Actor Award for the film Kireedam released in 1989-albeit the jury award. Later he won Best Actor National Awards for Bharatham (1991) and Vaanaprastham (1999). Apart from this, he has won numerous awards over the years for various films.

The hallmark of Mohanlal's acting is the spontaneity of performance. It is quite a well-known fact that he dosen't seriously rehearse or prepare for his roles. He just becomes the character he is playing for the duration between 'Action' and 'Cut'. So it is not uncommon to hear a reply like 'I don't know' from him when asked about how he carries out something like not blinking when he turns mentally retarded in the film 'Thalavattam', a characteristic even he wasn't aware of at the time; about how he gets the nuances so very right. In his own words " If you study it and then act the role, everything will flounder. Good acting just happens. And personally I don't think one needs to work on the character unless one plays a historical character." For those in front of the screen (the audience), the best thing about Mohanlal is his versatility. It seems he can play absolutely any role under the sun convincingly. And unlike many versatile actors who have traded intensity owing to their versatility, Mohanlal can be most intense if the role demands, the proof being his performances in the numerous action films he's worked in. Priyadarsan calls him the best actor India has ever produced.

Mohanlal established Pranavam Arts to be able to produce the kind of films he had an intense desire to create. And 'Beautiful' is the least we can say to describe some of his creations. His film 'Kaalapani', released in 1995, won 5 National and 7 State Awards. Another splendid creation, 'Vaanaprastham', released in 1999 won the National Award for Best Film.

In recent years, he has concentrated on working on one film at a time to devote more to quality. In his own words, he's more concerned about whether the script is a good one or not rather than whether the movie will be a big hit or not. A gentle human, he'd do films for friends regardless of the kind of project and the monetary returns. His jovial behaviour with cast and crew has endeared him to one and all.

Mohanlal's innate character is guided by the principle of lack of attachment. He was witness to an unfortunate incident wherein an actor with whom he was performing suddenly collapsed to death in front of him. This incident created a deep impact on his attitude to life. It explains his outlook to life and the reason he has now set his priorities the way he has.

Initially averse to working in Tamil films (his reason being 'too much masala' in them), he has now been part of quite a few, including the controversial 'Iruvar' loosely based on the life of Tamil actor and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.G.R. directed by the very famous director Mani Ratnam. He commented after the making "Hereafter, I will never work with a man of whom I am a fan." The reason being he often forgot to say 'Cut' while shooting!!!

His commitment to his roles is seen in his involvement during the making of the film. It is a well-known fact that he learnt Bharatnatyam for his role in 'Kamaladalam' and learnt 'Kathakali' for his role in 'Vaanaprastham'. Though, typical of this simple and humble human, he often downplays his efforts pointing that it is nothing in comparison to what the masters of the art have put in during years of practice.

Leading a contented life in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) with his wife and two children (Pranavam and Vismaya), he leads a life convinced that there is a force above guiding him through life to whom he gives credits for all his achievements.

We mortals can only wait and pray to continue to be witnesses to the performance of his art while he continues to leave footprints on the sands of time through the medium of cinema.

Biography prepared by Pradeep Nair (rtoac1@rediffmail.com)

Read about 'Karnabharam' play
Biography Snap Shot....
Name: MohanLal
Date of birth: 21.5.1960
Father:Late Viswanathan Nair
Mother: Santhakumari
Wife: Suchitra
Children: Pranav, Vismaya
Brother: Late Pyare Lal
Address: 15 RB Casa Major Road, Igmore, Chennai.
First Film: Thiranottam(not released)
First Film(R): Manjil Virinjapookkal(Director:Fazil, Year:1980)
Schooling: Mudavanmukal School and Model School Tvm.
College: B.Com from M.G. College, Thiruvananthapuram.
Other Business: Pranamam(Film Distribution), Pranavam Arts(Film Production Company), Partner(Royal Marian Exports), Partner VisualMagic (Tv production company), Planning to start an institute for Audio Engineering at Trivandrum, Planning to start a Reforming art centre(Kala Kendhram) in order to preserve kerala's old art forms.


Born on 21 st May 1960 to shri Viswanathan Nair and smt Santhakumari. His entry to the movie world was quiet. He is married to Suchitra and has two children Pranav (Appu) and Vismaya(Maya) He also had a brother named Pyare Lal Suchitra is the daughter of shri Balaji.


Today his name commands respect.Not only because of his estimable and long career innings but because he has essayed on unbelievable variety of roles felicitously. His repertoire includes the serious as well as the comedy packed. And of course,action roles.


Courtesy

Original version available at http://www.rediff.com/broadband/



'Mohanlal is the best actor India has ever produced'

Shobha Warrier

Priyadarshan Priyadarshan was the director who first presented a humorous Mohanlal to the people of Kerala. Together, they made several slapstick comedies. They stopped when film-makers hopped on the comic bandwagon, making a series of crude and vulgar comedies.

It has been years since they made films like Chitram or Kilukkam, but even now, Malayalis name these two films as their favourites. Here, Priyadarshan talks about his childhood enemy-turned-friend, Mohanlal:

Mohanlal was my sister’s classmate, and I was three years his senior in college. Even though we lived in the same area, both of us played cricket for different colleges and clubs. I was the opening batsman for our college cricket team, and he was the opening bowler for his. So we were always on the opposing sides.

We were real enemies then. We went to college in the same bus. But we would pick fights there too, mostly over girls!

We became friends only because of cinema. A common friend of ours made a film called Thiranottam, which we were both associated with. That was the beginning of our friendship.

I found him hilarious company. Later on, when I came into films, I wanted to make use of that talent, even though he began as a villain in Manjil Virinja Pookal.

And so in Enginey Nee Marakkum, people came to know about this facet of his character. Through humour, he became a hero.

I've made 27 films with him. In each, I have seen at least two new expressions that I hadn't seen in any of his earlier films. That is how much he surprises me.

I know that his contribution has got a lot to do with the success of most of my films, especially the humorous ones. There is a thin line between buffoonery and humour. He goes to the edge but never crosses that.

I admire his spirit with all his coartistes. He has no ego hassles with anyone. He is ready to do anything for a film. Many people have asked me whether he really licked Amrish Puri’s shoes in Kalaapani. He did. He felt the scene would look realistic only if he did it. He wanted the shoe to be cleaned properly, that’s all!

He never prepares for any role or scene. He is not bothered how he looks or what he does. Once the camera is on, he is a transformed person. As he does only one film at a time, he knows everything about the film, nothing more.

All you have to do is tell him what the shot is just before you shoot. He immediately changes into that character. I haven't seen this ability to transform completely, without any preparation, in any other actor in my entire career. And, mind you, I have worked with almost all the actors from the South and the North.

This man is amazing.

I remember Mani Ratnam telling me, "Hereafter, I will never work with a man of whom I am a fan." I asked why. He said he often forgot to say 'Cut' in Iruvar. Mani said he did not expect him to perform at that level.

Priyadarshan He stunned me in two films: Vaanaprastham and Vaasthuhara (the late Aravindan’s film).

I saw a different Mohanlal in both. A Mohanlal I don't see normally. You see him as a man carrying a heavy heart. From his body language, you could feel that he had a heavy heart. I don’t know how conveyed it to us. It was so real.

I didn't ask him to analyse it. Because, knowing Lal, it would be stupid of me to ask such things. He never plans for anything or prepares anything. It just happens.

Take Thalavattam. After he becomes mad, he doesn't blink his eyes. I didn't notice it when I shot the film. Only when someone asked me whether we did it purposely, did I notice it.

Both of us -- Lal or I -- didn’t know that mad people rarely blink their eyes. In the climax scene of Kireedam, you see him clenching and unclenching his jaws. People do that when they're tense. All this comes to Lal so naturally.

Recently, Madhavikkutty said that Lal was born in the wrong place. I agree. His potential is so much that I don't think an Indian director can ever make use of it totally.

Do we have any other actor in India who is accepted by the common man and the critics? He is a superstar. People adore him. They throw coins at the screen when he appears, like they do to Rajanikant.

At the same time, he is a super actor, too, having won three best actor awards at the national level. But we are yet to see the full potential of Mohanlal. Mohanlal is a unique phenomenon in Indian cinema.

In fact, he is the best actor India has ever produced.

Photographs: Sanjay Ghosh

mammootyonline.com

To my dear viewers,

People are worth more than the money they hold.

We all have moments of frustration, anger, pride and self-indulgence. The struggle we face is in not allowing these passions to dictate our lives. This past week I learned a tough lesson about love and forgiveness; about moving beyond petty disagreements; about the importance of reaching beyond pride and embracing family and friends in the immediacy of today.

You never know what tomorrow will bring.

Regards,

Mammootty






An Interview

It's one of those deadly days. The unexpected colliding with the expected. If that sounds heaviesh-duty, it's because I'm prone to getting Boeing –lagged even after a 90-minute flight from Mumbai to Chennai.

Alright, alright, I'll come to the sharp point rightaway. From the Chennai airport, I stop over, not quite bathed, certainly not shaved, and thus emanating odours. Spraying myself with cologne, I stop at the shoot of Rajeev Menon's new Tamil flick called Kandukondein Kandukondein (which means Face to Face, methinkeroo). Tabu's completed her portion and has bustled off to Khandala.

Today, Aishwarya Rai's into a scene on the first-floor stairway of the neat apartment building where Rajeev Menon resides. Ash declares, "I love you" to Mammootty who strangely reacts huffily, rejecting the beauteous one's ardour.

Oh, unpredictable are the ways of movie stories, no?

Anyway, lunch is announced. The director's hospitable wife asks me to stay for appams and veggie stew. Thanks… so much better than a room service burger at the hotel.

The hot meal over, I amble towards Mammootty for an interview. Now I know he's always been yokey-jokey whenever I've sat him down for a cornversation. Haven't done that for a coupla years though. To check out whether the Kerala-born star has changes his stripes in the interim, I insist on an immediate talk-a-two.

Putting on the grimmest face this side of Amitabh Bachehan, Mammootty assents. Ushering me from an airconditioned room to mini-balcony roasted by the July sun, he explains, "It's much brighter outside… you'll be able to see my face more clearly."

Huh? The face was quite clearly discernible in the cool room, too. But you don't argue with M'tty. He doesn't let you. Perspiring majorly, I sit it out in the scalding sun, the cologne evaporating in the heat. "Ask," he says succinctly and I do.

How 's life, Mr. Mammootty?
M: Stop this mister-bister. I don't like being formal, especially at two o'clock in the afternoon. No correct. As for life, it's like life. There's rain sometime, there's sunshine sometime. Morning becomes afternoon, afternoon becomes evening and evening becomes night. At times, it is very heaty, at times it's breezy and at times it's cold.

Tell me something I don't know already.
M: You're a wise man. Don't tell me you already know about how every day comprises morning , afternoon, evening and night.

Stop already. Why do you always do this to me?
M: What do I always do to you? I'm not a wise man, I am unaware of what I do to you.

Enough. So tell me what do you on cold nights?
M: I sleep.

With whom?
M: Sometimes with my pillows and sometimes with my wife. I've been faithful to my pillows, I'm never attracted to another man's pillows… or another man's wife for that matter.

Funneeee.
M: I'm not known to be funny. I'm very serious.

Are You?
M: I make fun seriously… right from my childhood days to today.

How old are you?
M: I'm old enough, I'm in my 40s. Why're you asking me? Are you going to give me a pension?

Not exactly. Wanted to know if you're afraid of ageing.
M: What a seriously funny question. Yes, I am afraid that I'll grow up. I won't be young, active and energetic. I won't be able to travel around the world anymore. I'll become weak.

What will you do when you're 60?
M: I'll be young.

See, you've just completed playing the title role in Jabbar Patel's ambitious project, Dr. Ambebkar. Get serious and tell me all about your performance.
M: I will, I will I'll use some serious words. Okay, so the project was like a dream, I feel as if I've just woken up from that dream. There was a real metamorphosis in my personality.
I'd seen photographs of Dr. Ambedkar… when I see myself on the screen, I can't believe that it's actually me. The shoot was strenuous, for over 120 days I faced the camera. I didn't want to convince anyone else besides myself that I could transform myself totally for the role.

Now you're talking the way actors usually do.
M: You mean I'm talking in clichés, But then what to do? If I don't give you clichés, you're unhappy. If I give you clichés. You're also unhappy. You're very difficult to please.

Yeah, who knows? Perhaps I wish to know more.
M: Your wish is my command, mister.

Don't call me mister-bister.
M: Don't get upset. Take it easy. Allright, so I've played the part of Dr. Ambedkar, showing him from the age of 25 to 58. I used my imagination considerably. I met quite a few people who knew him. I think they were quite happy that I played the role of a visionary whom they deeply admired.

It seems that you've dubbed your English dialogue yourself. But your accent is so different.
M: I insisted on doing my own budding. I think my voice is one of my best assets. How could I let anyone else dub for me? Not done. I spoke in the correct English-English, the Queen's English.
When there was a suggestion that someone else's voice would be more authentic, I argued that then the film should have been made in Marathi since Dr. Ambedkar often spoke to his people in Marathi. I worked hard on the dubbing, I did my dialogue in the dubbing studio continuously for 25 days.

Well done. Is it the best role of your life?
M: I can't brag, I can't say this is the best. All actors are greedy, they don't ever feel that they've reached the end of the road. So, I would say that the best is yet to come.

Cliché, cliché.
M: That's the truth. I'll stop acting after I've done my best role.

Which is the best interview you've ever done?
M: This one I should stop giving interviews after this one.

He's patient, soft-spoken and tolerant. He tolerated me.

Your views on the film's cinematographer Ashok Mehta.
M: He's rare specimen. He worked like a manual labourer on the sets. He does make you a little impatient because he takes his own sweet time to light the next shot. Apart from that, he's a cool guy. He has contributed a lot to the film.
If he saw me getting impatient, sitting with my make-up, he'd pat my cheek and tell me to bear with him. I did, I liked him because his aim to do every shot perfectly.

Why did the film, Dr. Ambedkar, take nearly three years to get to the finishing line?
M: Because of its large canvas. We shot in so many locations: Nagpur, Mahad, Nasik, Pune, London, America. It's a period picture, we had to recreate the 1950s and '60s. It isn't a fantasy where you can take all sorts of liberties. It's the real thing. Moreover , we had to work on a controlled budget. Such things take time.

How did you prepare for the role?
M: I went through the script in detail. Also, I read all the books I possibly could. I'm an actor, I depended on the director to tell me what to do.

You're supposed to be a superstar right?
M: I'm an actor, not a superstar.

Which other actors from Kerala do you like?
M: I like all of them. Jayaram is good. In any case, films run nowadays, irrespective of the cast. Actors can help in the initial collections… when they do, they're called stars. I guess I can be called a star too, because people go to see my films.

Do you like the word superstar?
M: I'm not crazy about it. You can be a superstar for a decade, two decades maybe. But you can be an actor till you die.

How would you define acting?
M: You want a serious reply or a funny reply?

The choice is yours.
M: Okay, then I'll say that acting reacting naturally to artificially created situations. I'm not an authority on acting… this is what I feel. But their is no machine to tell your whether you're acting well or badly. They only have machines to measure your blood pressure and such things.

Tell me, you were hugging Aishwarya Rai very tightly just now. so…
M: So? So what? That wasn't Mammootty hugging Aishwarya. It was Captain Bala hugging Meenakshi, the characters we're portraying. Don't confuse the two things. Understand?

Well, yeah. Wouldn't you agree that Aishwarya Rai is very beautiful?
M: But I'm very handsome too.

But you could never become Mr. World.
M: Why're you being so cruel to me? Never mind. I don't think I agree with the concept of Mr.World. Even if I did, sorry it's too late for me to grow muscles and look like Arnold Schwarzenegger. When you're in your 40s, you can't suddenly look as if you have rocks and boulders placed on your arms, chest and shoulders (lights up a cigarette).

Hey Hello, you once told me that you don't drink or smoke.
M: I only smoke a cigarette or two on the sets.

What's the difference?
M: I don't smoke at home. My wife doesn't like it. I'll have to eat elaichi or some minty sweet before I go home… otherwise she'll start screaming on smelling my breath. Ha! I'll tell her I had to smoke because it was absolutely essential for the scene.

I give up. Anything else to say?
M: I think all of us have to find out what kind of films to make for the Indian audience. Remember Mumbai is not India. What the audience gets today, they accept because they have no choice. I'm not happy with the way we pass off anything in the name of entertainment nowadays.

Why not do something about this then?
M: I'm not a film-maker, remember?

You could be.
M: I'll think about it.

Which films have you liked lately?
M: Analyze This with Robert De Niro and Billy Crystal. I'd love to play the kind of funny don that De Niro did. The last Hindi film, I saw was Pyaar Kiya to Darna Kya. It was allright, enjoyable now and then.

Finally, any last words?
M: Why're you sweating so much? Can I get you some cologne or something? And why haven't you shaved? Are you trying to look as handsome as me

THENMALA

         Located about 72kms from Thiruvananthapuram, the State Capital of Kerala, God's Own Country, the southern most State of India. Thenmala is a small village at the foothills of Western Ghats and predominantly a forest area. The famous Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary is the most important ecotourism resource of Thenmala Ecotourism. This Wildlife Sanctuary is of about 100 sq. km. and harbors large varieties of flora and fauna.

Thenmala : "Then + Mala" , i.e. in local parlance "Then" means honey and "Mala" means hillock i.e. it mean honey hills. The honey collected from Thenmala forest region is of good quality and of high medicinal value because of the unique floristic composition of the forests.

General Information

(Thenmala Grama Panchayat: the local self Government)
Total population 24,212,
Altitude Between 100-600 m above MSL
Climate The hottest months are March to May and the coldest, December and January. The maximum temperature during daytime in the hottest month is about 39oC. The daily temperature varies from 17oC to 35oC.
Rainfall Southwest Monsoon: May to August extends up to September
Northeast Monsoon: late September, October and November
Average rainfall 2600 - 3000 mm
Languages spoken Malayalam, Tamil & English
Season Throughout the year
Clothing Tropica


CULTURE ZONE

This zone accommodates various activities, which favours Ecofriendly General Tourism. Restaurant, Shop court, Amphitheatre etc help the tourists understand the Kerala cusines, Kerala crafts and natural wealth and Kerala's Art, Culture etc. An open air Musical Dancing Fountain which is considered, as "Natures Dance" is another major attraction here.



Tourism Facilitation Center
Accommodates
Well-conceived information center explaining The wide range of Tourism products available at Thenmala.
Shop Courts - Run by Local Women Self Help Groups.
Toilet facilities
Well informed staff to provide personal attention.
Functions from 09.00 am to 7.30 pm on all days.



Musical Dancing Fountain

A synchronized rhythmic ballet of water, sound and light located in the natural surroundings. Such a natural ambience is very rare and hence provides a unique and authentic experien


TOUR ITINERARY TO THENMALA ECOTOURISM

Day 1: At Thenmala
9.30 a.m. Reach the Tourist Facilitation Center, TEPS Thenmala.

10.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m One hour Boating on the reservoir.
Entry fee- Indian - Adult (Rs. 50 + Rs. 10) Child (Rs. 30 + Rs. 5)
Foreigner - Rs. 100 + Rs. 100

11.30 a..m. to 1.30 p.m. Visit to the Adventure Zone
(Attractions - Elevated walkway, Nature trail, Lotus Pond, Adventure activities like River Crossing, Rock Climbing and Rappelling, Mountain Biking etc.)
Entry fee-Indian - Adult (Rs. 20) Child (Rs. 10)
Foreigner - Rs. 50

1.30 p.m. to2.30pm Lunch at KTDC restaurant at the Culture Zone.

02.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. At Deer Rehabilitation center
Entry fee - Indian - Adult (Rs. 5) Child (Rs. 3) & lookout
Foreigner - Rs. 20

4.30p.m to 5.30pm. Tea break

5.00 p.m to 6.30 p.m. Visit to the Leisure Zone
(Attractions - Courts, Pathways, Plazas, Sculpture Garden, Board Walk)
Entry fee - Indian - Adult (Rs. 30) Child (Rs. 20)
Foreigner - Rs. 100

7.00 p.m. to 7.30p.m. Musical dancing fountain
Entry fee - Indian - Adult (Rs. 25) Child (Rs. 15)
Foreigner - Rs. 50

7.30pm Departure.

Soft Trekking (07.00am to 4.0p.m. on all days) Duration – 2 hrs, Distance – 4 kms Route: Trekking to a Myristica Swamp Forest Patch Adult (Rs. 50/-) Child (Rs. 30/-) Foreigner - Rs. 100/-) Maximum trekkers 19 Minimum No. 5 in one trip. Minimum charge Rs.250/- per trek

Food and Snacks: The preferred food and snacks can be obtained by placing order at the earliest vide fax to The Restaurant Manager, KTDC, Thenmala in the fax No 0475-2344800.

Guides: Local guides are available and it is recommended to avail the services of the guides so that the visitors can understand the project better. Contact: 0475-2344725.


Alternate tour programmes can be arranged if the tourist decides to stay at Thenmala.


Day 2: At Thenmala
9.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon Trekking Programme by National Adventure Foundation

3.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Palaruvi and back to Thenmala.

Day 3
9.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon Visit to Achancoil Eco-contact Center Khumbhavurutty waterfalls inside forest.

3.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Visit to Courtallam waterfalls and back to Thenmala.

Or
Day 3
6.00 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Eco-pilgrimage tour from Kulathupuzha ending at Achancoil

3.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Visit to Courtallam waterfalls and back to Thenmala.

Day 4
7.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. Bird watching trails in Deer Rehabilitation Center

10.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Local village visit.

Afternoon Departure


ACCOMMODATION


Dormitory facility (Capacity 25 visitors) Rate Rs.40/- per person. + Rs.250/- service charge. (24 Hrs) (4 carpeted rooms. 2 attached toilet, sleeping bags provided, food extra. Do arrange with KTDC restaurant in the same premises) Taxes extra Contact TEPS
Ph: 0475-2344800,
E-mail: tpo@thenmalaecotourism.com

Lake View Ayurvedic Resort Lake View Ayurvedic Resort Ottakal, Thenmala
(Ph: 0475-2783222,9447247573, 0473-2471126)
E-mail:larc@satyam.net.in

Local & Tented Accommodation At Thenmala by National Adventure Foundation
(Ph: 0471-2400740, 0475-2317629/2317897)
E-mail: skjnaf@yahoo.com

KTDC Motel Aaram Palaruvi
(Ph: 0475-2211600)
E-mail: ktdc@vsnl.com

Apichayans Cliff Resort Arayankavu, Thenmala,
Tele-Fax: 0475-2317612/2317542
E-mail: apichayans@hotmail.com

Hotel Highland

Kottarakara (30 Kms from Thenmala)
(Ph: 0474-2451442)
E-mail: highlandhotel@vsnl.com


CONDUCTED TOURS

From Thiruvananthapuram KTDC (Ph 0471-2330031),
Aries Travel (0471-2331165/2330417),
Remya Travels (0471-2461197)

From Kollam DTPC Kollam (Ph 0474-2745625, 1364)
Travel Express Tours & Travel Division (0474-2765373)

From Pathanamthitta DTPC Pathanamthitta (Ph 0473-2229952/2326409)

From Alapuzha DTPC Alappuzha (Ph: 0477-2251796, 2253308)

From Kottayam DTPC Kottayam (Ph: 0481-2560479)

From Ernakulam DTPC Ernakulam (Ph: 0484-2383988, 2367334)


Local Guides: Ph: 0475 2344725




Ecotourism is a new concept in tourism. It is a purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the cultural and natural history of environment, taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem, while producing economic opportunities that make conservation of natural resources beneficial to local people.

In short, ecotourism can be conceptualised as

"Any tourism programme that is

(a) nature based,
(b) ecologically sustainable,
(c) where education and interpretation is a major component and
(d) where local people are benefited

can be called ecotourism. If it does not satisfy any one of these components then it cannot be called a real ecotourism venture.

THENMALA ECOTOURISM

Tourism Department, Government of Kerala, India has taken steps to give focussed attention to ecotourism in the State. A separate ecotourism wing has been created to give policy support for the development of the ecotourism destinations in the State. Accordingly a project for the first planned ecotourism destination (Thenmala Ecotourism Project) has been formulated in and around Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary with the co-operation of departments such as Forest, Irrigation and Tourism. In order to give flexibility in management for the development of this destination, a separate Society, the Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society (TEPS) has been constituted.

"Thenmala Ecotourism" has been conceived as a first planned ecotourism destination in India and the initial stages of implementation is completed.

The major objectives of this project are

1. To develop Thenmala dam and its surroundings as a major tourist destination.

2. To promote Ecotourism on the basis of sound principles of ecological sustainability in the surrounding areas of Thenmala.

3. To have a well planned tourism destination with emphasis on sustainable tourism development so as to become a model for other destination development programmes.

When the idea of developing Thenmala as a tourism destination was mooted seriously in 1996, it was decided to develop it as an ecotourism destination by keeping the degraded forest area, in the outskirts of the Sanctuary, as a familiarization zone. The studies and discussions followed helped to evolve a strategy to control the mass tourism within the outer limits of the Sanctuary. Hence the ecotourism products, which are developed within Sanctuary, are expected to be supply driven, which eventually takes care of ecological sustainability. It was also planned to have satellite centers in various places in Western Ghats mountainous region within a radius of 50 km from Thenmala. The familiarisation zones thus created function as area for soft ecotourists.

Eco-friendly General Tourism is planned in the periphery of the sanctuary so that pressure of tourism will not affect sanctuary. The real ecotourism is to take place in sanctuary and only ecotourists are encouraged for that. Others can experience the ecofriendly products such as small nature trails, elevated walkway through canopies, mountain biking etc. This will give them a feeling of what awaits as ecotourism in the sanctuary area, for which they have to wait since it is supply driven. This was a consciously developed management strategy after analysing what is happening in various sanctuaries by way of tourist pressure.

Facilities such as boating in the Sanctuary reservoir, boardwalk, sculpture garden, amphitheatre, Musical Dancing Fountain, etc. are also provided at Thenmala for soft ecotourists. An Environmental education and interpretation center is also being set up at Thenmala.

Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society adopted a strategy to co-ordinate with Forest Department, the Irrigation Department and Tourism Department and implement various activities in association with each Department.

Private initiative is expected in areas such as providing accommodation, transportation facility etc. No permanent constructions are made in forest areas. Accommodations for tourists are developed outside the forests, at a distance.

To make this project a great success Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society (TEPS) entrusted the conduct of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI). KFRI had conducted EIA for the destination and the satellite spots. Further, on the recommendations of KFRI and on the basis of the Environmental Impact Assessment, TEPS amended the activities so as to minimise the negative impacts of the project.

The products such as trekking, bird watching trails etc. is being developed and operationalised through the institution of Eco-development Committees / Participatory Forest Management Committees (locally known as Vana Samrakshna Samithi (VSS)), thereby ensuring local benefits from ecotourism. Forest Department has already evolved expertise in the formulation of Eco-development Committees and VSS through institutionalised means. This will help in channelising the benefits of ecotourism to the local people, which will ultimately elicit support of local community for forest protection and conservation.

Thenmala ecotourism project is the first planned ecotourism project/destination in the country. In many other cases it was just renaming of an already existing "nature tourism". Here from the very beginning efforts have been taken to imbibe the internationally accepted principles of ecotourism in the planning process as well as in implementation. A conscious management strategy has been evolved to create a familiarization zone to limit the impacts in sensitive ecosystems to the minimum. Another important feature is the institutionalizing of co-ordination mechanism among Forests, Irrigation and Tourism Departments, Local Community, Local Self Government and other stake holders.

In short "Thenmala ecotourism" is a learning experience. Our idea is to make this destination qualitatively better by getting valuable feedback from all esteemed visitors and there by strive for excellence in the area of conservation of natural resources and authentic tourism experience.

T.P.Naryanan Kutty IFS
Director (Ecotourism)
Tourism Department
Government of Kerala
India.




"Thenmala Ecotourism" is the first planned ecotourism destination in India. Thenmala is a small village at the foothills of the Western Ghat Mountains and predominantly a forest area with a lot of human interventions at the periphery.

HOW NATURE BASED?

The nearby Wildlife Sanctuary (Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary) is the most important ecotourism resource. This is considered as a unique destination development initiative with "Thenmala" the village as a focal point with small community led ecotourism developments within a radius of 50km from Thenmala in the foothills of Western Ghat Mountains. Investment is to the tune of 1.6 Million US Dollars. Development period was 3 years. Stakeholders include Government Departments such as Tourism, Forest, Irrigation, local self Government and local communities, scientific institutions etc. The main components of the destination are ecofriendly general tourism products and ecotourism products.

The Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary

The etymological meaning of the name *Shenduruney* has been derived from a tree species locally called, "Shenkuruny" or "Chenkuruny" (Gluta travancorica) an endemic tree mainly confined to this area. The Government declared Shenduruney as a Wildlife Sanctuary on 25th August 1984. The construction of the Parappar Dam across the confluence of the Shenduruney Kazhuthurutty, and Kulathupuzha rivers had resulted in the creation of an artificial lake of about 26 Sq. Km. which spreads along the middle of the sanctuary.

Location - southern part of the Western Ghats (8'50 and 8'55 N; 77'5 and 77' 15 E)
District - Kollam
Taluk - Pathanapuram
Total area of - 100.32 Sq. km.
Rain Forest, Deciduous Forest, Man Made Forest
Myristica Swamps And Shola-Grasslands
1500 flowering plants (3800 in Kerala State)
43 mammal species
200 species of birds (475 species in Kerala State)

Chenkuruny tree (Gluta travancorica)
Map of Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary

HOW ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE?

a. Contribution to the Conservation of Natural Areas

Initially 30 acres of degraded forest areas were taken up and protected from biotic interferences, which now became fully covered by trees and being used by visitors for small wilderness trails, riverine walk, canopy walk etc. This area has been divided into 3 zones and planned as a familiarisation zones so that impact on the larger ecosystem, "the sanctuary" is kept minimum. Another conservation effort is the deer rehabilitation programme where the deer that stray out from nearby forests are taken to this center and being helped to survive.

Nakshathravanam: (Star Forest) - A unique system to popularise tree planting.
The predictions forecasted for a man are based on the Nakshthra or the constellation in which one's Moon was placed at ones birth. The entire Zodiac comprises of 360 degrees. Therefore, there are 27 Nakshthras or constellations in the Zodiac.

Each of these Nakshthra is associated with a tree. These trees are of medicinal, social, aesthetic or economic value. There is a belief that it will bring good fortunes if one plants one's own tree (pertaining to his star) in his home. In this proposed programme a nursery of these 27 trees are established and visitor are encouraged to visit and if interested, they can buy the same. Definitely people will see that these plants survive once they purchase it. Hence ultimately ecotourism contributes to the greening i.e. protecting nature.

b. Environmental Practices in the Development and Operation of Ecotourism Facilities, Establishments and Services

Waste Management: Vermi Composting technique is being practiced. Only local architecture and locally available materials are used in construction. Battery Powered Vehicles are used to transport tourists through forests to Boat landing in order to signify the importance of non-polluting sources of energy. Local cuisines are also promoted. Local accommodations are encouraged in destination. Environment Impact Assessment has been done and parameters of sustainability has been laid down by a leading Research Institute - Kerala Forest Research Institute.


HOW EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION IS A MAJOR COMPONENT?

Society associates with Protected area (Wildlife Sanctuary) authorities in the field of the nature education activities. Special concession rate in ecotourism zones are offered for school children, college students and those who attend Wildlife Sanctuary Nature camps. Special nature education classes (1/2 to 1 hour) is conducted in forest environment by the trained staff for the students on demand. Good signages and tree labeling are provided in all pathways and nature trails. During trekking programmes, trained local guides are utilised for education. Local youth are given training on interpretation and helped to avail self employment opportunities in ecotourism.

HOW LOCAL PEOPLE ARE BENEFITED?

Local youth were trained to use self-employment opportunities i.e. as guides etc. The trekking programme is being managed by the local group of people residing nearby with support of the private sector. Direct employment given to people belonging to the area / district. Apart from that the shops established by the Society for selling handicrafts, souvenirs, and for running the cafeteria etc. are entrusted to local "woman group" i.e. local women self help groups. Employees are also given training frequently. Ecotourism products such as trekking etc are managed by local community with the help of forest department.

MALABAR

Malabar, the land that has been bestowed upon by the bounties of nature had literally alienated itself from the onslaughts of human intervention. The land, where Vasco Da Gama stepped off his ship into history, was also an important stretch in the famed silk route to the Indian sub-continent. Down the centuries, the Portuguese, French, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch and of course the British left their footprints on the sands of its psyche. Malabar’s tradelinks with West Asia date back to over 1500 years. Malabar stretches from Kasargode on the Northern most tip of Kerala to the unscathed tropical forests of Silent Valley in Palakkad. Malabar is an assortment of colours of a varied culture, diverse flora and fauna. Malabar is also home to world famous ritual dances like the Theyyam and martial arts like Kalaripayattu (which predates every other known martial art) and Poora kali, aiming to cultivate a sound mind in a sound body. The places that are part of this wonderland are Kasargode, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad and Palakkad. Let us explore these must know places, to which the journey is yet to begin….. The cultural map of Malabar cannot be complete without panning this fascinating stretch of land called Kasargode. Bekal Fort, that hoary fort that stands tall in the cultural history of Kasargode tells amazing stories of conquests and invasions in this land, stretching far back into the mists of time. The mighty fort is located on the sea-side, and is one of the most sought out tourist destinations in the region. Realising this place’s huge potential, many tourist establishments have already sprung up on this unspolit land. Kasargod is also the land of Poorakali, Perumkaliattam, Yakshaganam, and Kaalapootu. The abode of Lord Ananthapadmanabha-the Ananthapuram Temple is an architectural marvel with an awesome ambience, resting languidly in the middle of a lake. The historic beach at Manjeswaram is an equally great balm for the weary traveller seeking a respite from the world at large. The city of looms and lores', Kannur is the heartland of folk art and folk music. Apart from this, Kannur is ahead of other parts of Kerala in promoting the concept of Heritage tourism. Ancient temples, serene countryside, and monuments that mark the rule of many a valourous rulers find due prominence in the cultural history of Kannur. The land also flourished with a multitude of the famous folk art form - theyyam, with around hundreds of them being performed before the Karkidakom season. The tiles manufacturing units of Kannur is renowned all over Asia. Herman Gundert, the German missionary who redefined the Malayalam language had left his mark on this land. Thalassery claims to be the place of origin of the Indian circus. The drive-in beach at Muzhapilangad is the only one of its kind in India. The St Angelo's fort at Kannur, by the seaside, silently speaks of the heroic deeds of its one-time inhabitants Historically, the city of Kozhikode (Calicut) is probably the most important part of Malabar, its very heart. It was this ancient land that was India’s first trade-link to West Asia and the world as a whole. Kozhikode is famed for its hospitality and a rich blend of art, culture and music. This land is equally important for its tempting cuisine. Vasco da Gama, in 1498, anchored his ship on the beautiful shores of Kozhikode, opening up India to the world. But Kozhikode has an equally important place in history for its craftsmanship. It is home to the traditional wooden ship builders whose vessels sailed the world’s seven seas, taking trade and culture beyond known horizons to bridge the gap between different cultures. Kozhikode was a major attraction to the Europeans and the Arabs for its abundance of spices and other agricultural products. Malapuram is the land that contributed many martyrs for the freedom struggle. The sepoy mutiny that the British carped about took place in this very land in 1921. The father of Malayalam literature- Tunchathu Ezhuthachan belongs to Malappuram. Football is to Malappuram what it is to Brazil. Football fever grips this land not just during the world cups but also throughout the year with small soccer events happening in its villages and towns. At times of disturbances in the Middle East, the economy here, which relies greatly on the remittances from its hardy migrants abroad, suffers tremors. The Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Salai is considered as one of the greatest Ayurvedic hermitages, the world over. A predominantly Muslim district, Malappuram is also known for its fine instances of communal tolerance. A small instance: There are a number of Muslim families who cultivate lotus flowers in large ponds in Tirunnavaya, to be delivered for use in worship at Hindu temples across Kerala. Be a part of the eternal journey to the mystique land, Wayanad. The land that smells of pepper and cardamom, the land that embraces age-old works of art and architecture. Wayanad is perched at an altitude between 700 and 2100 metres above sea level. The wind here whistles through the virgin bamboo stalks and wild rearing canopies of the forests creating an ambience that is as pristine as the first dew of a misty morning. These pictures aim to catch the melody of rivulets and the chirping birds, the air reverberating with the rustic innocence of country songs punctuated by valourous stories of legendary heroes like the Pazhassi Raja and Tipu. The Mighty Western Ghats stand proud with the evergreen forest that is home to many medicinal plants and wildlife. This biodiversity breathes life into each and every living being, that at some point is a part of this paradise. This land also boasts of one of the world's most ancient cave engravings in the Ambukuthi mountain that dates back to pre-historic times. Now listen to a tale that’s told by a river as she flows gently but mightily taking in her course tiny rivulets, hundreds in number—this is Bharatapuzha that flows through Palakkad. This is the land that speaks of a rich culture, performing arts, festivals like Pooram, Kaala vela, Kaala poottu and fields that run in acres. It was from this land that great litterateurs like O. V. Vijayan and M T Vasudevan Nair drew their legendary characters. The architecture and Vaastu of Palakkad is acclaimed for their simplicity, novelty and aristocratic touch. The world famous National park- Silent Valley stretches across this land. The famous ornithologist Salim Ali has unraveled to the world some of the rare species of birds of this land through his acclaimed works. The photographs here are the throw ups of my passionate and professionally challenging attempts to soak up Malabar’s life and times over the past ten years and more, with firm contextual moorings. The enduring and breathtaking aspects of this fascinating land captured live would, hopefully, make it come through as a virtual paradise undisturbed by the world at large, and steeped in legends and lores. This collection successfully unravels the lesser-known yet explicit landmarks of Malabar, the subtle nuances of its culture and tradition, and its essence. It targets research students; particularly students of History who would like to explore the untouched and un-documented parts of Malabar. It would also be a great opportunity for tour operators, and tourists from within and outside India, to know Malabar up close from behind a highly perceptive lens. This could also help Malabar’s own population in looking at their land from a different angle and thus help them rediscover it