Talking drums and hands - Mattannur Udayan Nampoothiri and Cheruthazham ...

Photo Speaks: Drive Safely - Wish you don't need to be driven around!

Photo Speaks: Do not give up! or rather Fight it out!.

Do not give up! or rather Fight it out!. It was pleasant to see the loaded bullock cart plying through the busy city traffic of Coimbatore, which has one of the best mobility options for goods transport.

Vishu and Cashew Nuts - money money money!

Month of April and it is holiday season for children. Added with many festivals including Vishu.

A quick visit to my home in Kerala and a walk around brought back memories of my childhood days. We used to wait for the exams to finish and then starts the family visits. Children will come to our home as well as we visit their homes. In the villages, with farming and cultivation, it used to be fun all along. For us, the season brings an additional source of income to supplement our expenses, as pocket money used to be very very limited. Except for the 1 rupee or 50 paise given to us as "Vishu Kaineettam" - a tradition where elders give money to those younger to them on the day of Vishu, there was absolutely no source of money to either buy any toys or go for a movie at the local cinema. This is when we gather together and walk around and collect the fallen cashew nuts and then take it to the local vendor and sell them and keep the cash. The nuts are sold and the fruits are mostly eaten while collecting or on the way.

Of course and obviously the vendor will give us only lesser amount than the normal market rate as he knows very well that this is something we do without permission of our parents or relatives (although all parties are aware!).

Gone are those days, and now children have several other ways to keep them engaged, and money is not an issue at all. Engaging or getting them engaged is now a main source of income by means of "Summer Camps". Advantage and disadvantage of modernization!.

This post is intended to all those who enjoyed the olden golden days will cherish remembering those days.

Southern Beauty - A minute with ClicksandWrites

A quick round up of the beauty I saw through my lens during a short visit to Coimbatore, Palghat and Trichur. Most of the photos in this presentation are taken using mobile phones. Once again it is my way to prove what I say and write, Photography is a good way to create a positive effect when adversities of life target you in strange and uncertain ways!

Flowering Mango trees announces the arrival of a new season

Flowering Mango trees announces the arrival of a new season

വരവായി ഒരു മാമ്പഴക്കാലം കൂടി !

It is not only the date palm trees flowering, walk around the corniche and you will get to see the mango trees fully flowered. take your children out. show them, the nature’s natural way of informing us the change of seasons!.

This is from Abu Dhabi Marina Mall area.

Technology behind Red Bull Air Race Pylons - A minute with ClicksandWrites

Red Bull Air Race Abu Dhabi
Friday, 11th March 2016
@redbullairrace #airrace

Made with a special lightweight nylon, the pylons for Red Bull Air Race are designed with maximum safety and efficiency in mind. While they define the course, they are not there to get in the way; quite the opposite actually.
If a plane makes contact with a pylon, it is designed to breakaway or tear, with the air-pressurized structure falling away immediately. From there a specialized team kicks into action, and the ensuing few minutes are poetry in motion, not unlike watching a Formula 1 team perform a pit stop.

Text Source and opportunity thanks to: Red Bull Air Race Team

Rain and Thunderstorm 09th March 2016 Abu Dhabi

Rain and Thunderstorm 09th March 2016 Abu Dhabi

UAE is experiencing bad weather these days and it is our primary objective to value safety on the roads, not only for us, but also for our fellow drivers. Safety starts before you drive, and our goal should be to see and be seen. Replace windshield wiper inserts that leave streaks or don’t clear the glass in a single swipe. Make sure all headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals are properly functioning so other drivers will see you during downpours. Turn on your headlights whenever you drive. Proper tire tread depth and inflation are imperative to maintaining good traction on wet roadways. Check each tire’s pressure, including the spare, at least once a month… and be sure to check the pressure when the tires are cold.

Also, please note to:

• Avoid Cruise Control
• Slow Down and Leave Room
• Respond carefully to a Skid

Our Story of the Date Palms – 2016

Time Frame to participate : 09 March 2016 – 10 July 2016

To all:

Have you ever watched the Palm trees flowering process?. If not, watch them from now on. The trees have started the flowering!.

It will be a good observation cum photography experience if you track it.

Inviting you to click them from wherever you are post them at the event page of Passionate Photographerson Facebook with details. Opt to choose the growth sequence in one or two selected trees.

A display of this wonderful event and the result of your efforts submitted to Passionate Photographers group is planned with selected photos from members later during the year – when this seasonal cycle gets completed with the dates ripe, mature and fall down announcing the arrival of christmas and another year end.

You are welcome to post any number of photosper week for the next 5 months on the subject. 16 photos selected by each member / each month , ie March, April, May, June, July – will be exhibited.

Photos taken using Mobile Phones can also be submitted.

Time Frame for clicking : 9th March 2016 – 10 July 2016

Please post your clicks marked for this event on to Passionate Photographers group and also email the soft copy of it to team1dubai@gmail.com 

with the subject line: Photo Competition – “Our Story of the Date Palms – 2016”

Please note to observe the time and date you click along with the GPS location of your object, for jury to identify it before the exhibition.

Original high resolution files will be required to be submitted at a later stage with full information of the photo and photographer. Files should not be modified or altered with.

For those parents with children interested or not interested in Photography, this will be a very good exercise to have them observe the nature, the seasonal changes and to observe and realise how nature announces the arrival of the seasons in its own way. Since it is spread out during a period of four months, it will be also a test to find out how patient you are towards your short term and long term objectives.

Thus, to create interactive interest among parents/children/teachers, photos of participating children below age 16 will be separately displayed and appreciated.

Those children who are participating in this event are also welcome to write a short story – not less than 300 words – on their experience of capturing the season that passed by while photographing for this event.

Please share this event with your friends and family who may be interested.

Please do not hesitate to contact me in case you have any further clarifications.

Welcome to participate and Best wishes in advance,

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

rameshmenonabudhabi@gmail.com

@rameshmenonauh

p.s: I welcome corporate and individuals sponsors to this event.

Below is a teaser for those who are interested. The opportunity is infinite!!!

#passionatephotographers #clicksandwrites #Ourstoryofdatepalms2016

Athirappally Vazhachal Waterfalls Kerala - A minute with Clic...

The Athirappilly Falls is situated 1000 ft above sea level on the Chalakudy river, at the entrance to the Sholayar ranges of the Western Ghats.  Athirappalli is a scenic combination of forests and little streams. Falling from a height of 80 feet, this is one of the largest waterfalls in the state. Many endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna are found in the forests of the Athirapilly-Vazhachal area. This area is the only place in the Western Ghats where four endangered hornbill species are seen. The Western Ghats is one of the most important biodiversity hot spot in the world. This valuable natural world is already degraded by mining and hydro electric projects. Environmentalists claim that Athirapally is a one-of its-kind riparian ecosystem in Kerala. V.S. Vijayan, Chairman of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board and former Director of the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore, has been quoted in Down to Earth magazine as affirming that the Vazhachal forest division is the second most biodiverse area in the State. The International Bird Association has declared it an "Important Bird Area" and the Asian Nature Conservation Foundation has recommended that the area should be declared a sanctuary or a national park, he points out.

Athirappilly is popular among tourists. Athirappilly Falls is one of the best places to visit in Kerala. Another popular waterfall to visit is the Vazhachal Falls. Athirappilly Falls is a part of Chalakudy river and it is approximately 80 feet in height. Athirappilly is easily reachable from Chalakudy by taking a vehicle for rent or by bus from the Chalakudy private bus terminal.

Proper precautions are taken on site to prevent mishaps while swimming and a police camp is always positioned there. Athirappilly is situated on SH-21 highway connecting Tamil Nadu and Kerala, night driving is not advised. But you can enjoy the adventurous drive in the middle of jungle.

Route through Valparai: Coimbatore-Pollachi 40 km-Valparai 65 km From Pollachi onwards, the road climbs up steeply through tea estates to Valparai. From Valparai, the road goes through dense wild jungles after Malakkiparai. Route is as follows: Valparai-Malakkiparai 22 km-Sholayar 24-Peringalkuthu Dam 25-Vazhachal 5-Athirapalli 5-Chalakudy 33 km.

Route through Angamaly: For tourists from Cochin and other northern side of Kerala can take a short cut from Angamaly. After Passing Angamaly take right turn after the bridge. This route will pass through Mookkannoor, Edalakadu, Ezhattumugham, palm oil plantation and connect to Athirapilly Vazhachal route. This route can save time, distance and you can enjoy nature.

Route through Chalakudy: Tourists from Chalakudy and other southern side of Kerala can take the Athirappilly route starting from Anamala Jn. Chalakudy and pass through Kanjirapilly, Vettilapara Athirapilly route.

There is absolutely no human settlement between Malakkiparai and Peringalkuthu Dam. Wildlife—elephants and bison—spill over onto the road, and night driving is discouraged. Both Vazhachal and Athirapalli are on the same Chalakudy river.

Athirapalli Falls is best visited during rains. The rest of the year there is water flow but hardly the spectacle it is from June to October.

There are two water theme parks (Silver Storm and Dream Word) and many resorts on the way to Athirapilly.

A minute with ClicksandWrites is a series designed to highlight various events that I attend or location that I visit through short videos. The video also has a key safety message that is to remind each and every one that safety is a priority for all, especially road safety.

#StartEarlyDriveCarefullyReachSafely is the prime message that is the need for the hour. Beware of other drivers mistakes and drive carefully and cautiously see through to have a blessed day.

#StartEarlyDriveCarefullyReachSafely  #SafetyFirst  #PassionatePhotographers

#ClicksandWrites  #AminutewithClicksandWrites #KeralaTourism #VisitKerala

A minute with ClicksandWrites - Working Together Works

A minute with ClicksandWrites - A talent of a special kind

A minute with ClicksandWrites - Life: a street magic

A minute with ClicksandWrites - Celebrate DSF the Italian way

A minute with ClicksandWrites - Al Ain Air Championship 2015

The Al Ain Air Championship (formerly known as Al Ain Aerobatic Show) is one of the longest running events held in the United Arab Emirates was held from 17-10 December 2015. The event is one of the world’s largest and prestigious aerobatic performance festivals, attracting a glittering array of the world's foremost military and civilian aerobatics teams and flying champions. Held in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi's heritage heartland, the event was designed to deliver a weekend of unforgettable family fun-- in the air, on the ground and across the destination.

Al Ain’s unique cultural heritage, natural assets and many attractions make it the perfect place to host such a dynamic championship event.

The show was organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and is supported by the UAE Air Force, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) and Al Ain Municipality and partners.

A minute with ClicksandWrites is a series designed to highlight various events that I attend or location that I visit through short videos. The video also has a key safety message that is to remind each and every one that safety is a priority for all, especially road safety.

#StartEarlyDriveCarefullyReachSafely is the prime message that is the need for the hour. Beware of other drivers mistakes and drive carefully and cautiously see through to have a blessed day.

#StartEarlyDriveCarefullyReachSafely  #SafetyFirst  #PassionatePhotographers
#ClicksandWrites  #AminutewithClicksandWrites #AlAinAirChamps
#InAbuDhabi

Supermoon Eclipse! - Total Lunar Eclipse – 28 September, 2015

Supermoon Eclipse! - Total Lunar Eclipse – 28 September, 2015

In the early hours of Monday, September 28, a Total Lunar Eclipse will be visible from North and South America, Europe, Africa and parts of Western Asia. This eclipse coincides with a Perigee Moon. This is when the moons elliptical orbit brings it to its closest point to Earth making the moon look slightly larger in the sky.
Observers in Western America will witness the eclipse at moonrise. With the moon rising with already half of the umbra shadow across it, the low altitude of the moon will enhance the ‘supermoon effect’ even further. The moon will be low enough for some fantastic photographs of the eclipse as a backdrop to buildings and trees or anything else on the ground that you might want to image alongside the eclipse!
Timings:
UT+4.5 (Bengaluru, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi)
Partial Eclipse Begins 05:37
Partial Eclipse Ends 06:27
Do not miss out. Capture it and share it with us at

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Team1PassionatePhotographers/

This is a photo of moon taken this evening using Sony HX400V camera.

Photo Speaks - Delegate & Relax

Are you working under pressure? Then Delegate & Relax!    RM

I love photography and I believe

Every photo clicked is a history. One will never be able to re-create that precious moment.

Let these photos and quotes make your day inspiring.

Like it and share it.

Photo Speaks – Discipline

The discipline you learn and character you build from setting and achieving a goal can be more valuable than the achievement of the goal itself.                                                                                        Bo Bennett

I love photography and I believe

Every photo clicked is a history. One will never be able to re-create that precious moment.

Let these photos and quotes make your day inspiring.

Like it and share it.

Photo Speaks - Life

The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life. William Morris.

I love photography and I believe

Every photo clicked is a history. One will never be able to re-create that precious moment.

Let these photos and quotes make your day inspiring.

Like it and share it.

Photo Speaks - Time

If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done. Bruce Lee

I love photography and I believe

Every photo clicked is a history. One will never be able to re-create that precious moment.

Let these photos and quotes make your day inspiring.

Like it and share it.