Voyance

27/02/2024

Watch the full feature through LINK IN BIO!

Aneesha Ani Benadict holds the distinction of being the first female scuba diver from the fisher community in Kerala.

Hailing from the coastal village of Valiyathura in Thiruvananthapuram, Aneesha completed her Master's degree in Ocean Studies & Marine Biology from Pondicherry University. She has been a part of FML - Friends of Marine Life for over a decade now - an organisation focused on the research and conservation of marine ecosystems.

Aneesha talks to Voyance about her challenges and experiences while pursuing the skill of scuba diving as well as debunking several myths about it. She offers insights on the academic and career prospects of diving and marine biology, focussing particularly on the young populations from the coastal communities. Further, she talks about the threats to our marine ecosystem, especially in the coast of Thiruvananthapuram, due to unscientific constructions and other factors. She stresses on the
urgent need for conservation of our ocean and the coasts.

Aneesha currently resides in Thiruvananthapuram with her family, working as Research Assistant in the Kerala State Biodiversity Board.

P.C. Friends of Marine Life (FML)

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11/01/2024

This feature is part of a series by Voyance addressing homelessness and displacement amongst indigenous coastal populations in Thiruvananthapuram/South Kerala.

Little Flower's home in Kochuthoppu fishing village, near Sangumugham beach, faced severe devastation in the 2019 heavy rains and subsequent sea turbulence. The steady coastal erosion witnessed in the past decade in the region has contributed significantly to this disaster.

On November 21' 2023, World Fisheries Day, an independent committee led by Dr. K. V. Thomas (Former Dean, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences) released a scientific study report on the impact of the Vizhinjam International Seaport (VISL) Project. The committee also included other experts like, Probir Banerjee, Sarita Fernandez, Dr. John Kurien, Terry Machado, Dr. K.G. Thara and Dr. Johnson Jament.

The report, officially released by prominent historian Ramachandra Guha, addressed and highlighted the ecological, social, economical, environmental and biodiversity impact of the Vizhinjam port project on the marine ecosystem and the indigenous coastal communities in Thiruvananthapuram.

Little Flower and her family's account has been cited in the report to highlight the grave issue of coastal erosion leading to devastation and homelessness. This feature attempts to raise awareness on that subject, as well as bring to light the firsthand experiences of families like Little Flower's.

24/11/2023

In review: Amith K, a mohiniyattam practitioner based in Kerala, recently presented his work at an event for the Kerala Navasadhas.

Amith has been learning mohiniyattam under Guru Nirmala Panicker since 2018 and is becoming a recognised face amongst followers of the artform.

We take a look at his journey as a dancer and his recent performance in our latest story.

Take a look at the review.
https://voyancestories.com/insights/mohiniyattam-the-dance-of-the-enchanter/

Amith A Myth

PC: Stories by Sreeraj

Amith K, a Mohiniyattam practitioner, presented his dance for the Kerala Navasadhas event held in Ernakulam.

08/11/2023

Voyance sits down for a chat with Sindhu Maria Napoleon - a journalist, researcher and an activist – on CSCF, coastal indigenous identity, the Vizhinjam port protests and much more.

Coastal Student's Cultural Forum (CSCF) was established in 2016, as Kerala’s first coastal student & youth led movement. A non-profit organisation, CSCF was founded by a group of like-minded youngsters from the coastal communities across Thiruvananthapuram.

A native of Pulluvila, a fishing village in Thiruvananthapuram, Sindhu is one of the founding members of CSCF. She has been at the heart of several of its movements, including CSCF’s involvement in the protests against the Vizhinjam port project.

In this video feature Sindhu not only reflects on CSCF’s journey, but also evaluates the social, political and cultural challenges affecting the coastal indigenous populations of Kerala.

Watch the interview through the LINK IN BIO

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14/09/2023

Kerala’s lifeguards are in deep crisis. Their struggles began a long time ago, and have reached a crossroads now.

In this feature story, we attempt to highlight the challenges faced by the lifeguards over the years, since the initiation of their service in Kovalam in 1986. Through the voices of the lifeguards - retired and in service - we inspect the professional transition and their numerous protests, strikes and movements for fair labour reforms, during this period.

The feature focuses principally on the issues faced by the lifeguards in the present context and their attempts to remedy the same. 

We thank all the lifeguards who were willing to meet us and share their candid and insightful perspectives, especially those inThiruvananthapuram. The observations and analyses offered by a number of researchers and activists were extremely helpful as well. 

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26/02/2023

Movie review

The Banshees of Inisherin is filmmaker Martin McDonagh's fourth film, and his third collaboration with actor Colin Farrell. Receiving critical acclaim much like his previous work - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Banshees"—is a front runner for the upcoming academy awards.

The movie examines the complexity of individual emotions through the intricate relationship between its two central characters - Pádraic and Colm.

In our latest story, The Banshees of Inisherin: Three Colours of Loneliness, we try to form an interpretive analysis of the movie and its characters.
Follow the link in the bio to read and share your thoughts.

The Banshees of Inisherin examines the complexity of individual emotions through its two central characters. Here is our analysis

24/07/2022

Badayakandy Basheer is the founder of Gudhaam - a café and an antique store - located in Gujarathi Street, Kozhikode.

Basheer is not just a heritage enthusiast, but also an avid traveller. He has travelled to 31 countries so far, collecting many souvenirs during those journeys. From the smallest items to a jukebox - Basheer's most beloved possession - they adorn the walls and rooms of Gudhaam.

He shares with Voyance his travel experiences, about antiques and heritage, his journey with Gudhaam and much more...

Watch the video interview
https://youtu.be/Px_bbak0b8A

Read more about Basheer and his life in the feature on our website.

Badayakandy Basheer is the founder of Gudhaam - a café and an antique store - located in Gujarathi Street, Kozhikode. Born in Thalassery and settled in Kozhi...

28/05/2022

Anand Babu is an animation artist working with Vaibhav Studios, Mumbai. He is the co-director of Lamput – the widely popular series in Cartoon Network Asia - created by Vaibhav Kumaresh. Anand has also been associated with several popular cartoon ads at Vaibhav Studios, including the “Nickelodeon Idli Vada Rap song”.
Anand started his career at Toonz Animation, Trivandrum, as an intern, after finishing his higher secondary education. He worked on numerous 2d and 3d projects during his time there. Anand was noted by Vaibhav after watching one of his animation shorts, which led to him joining Vaibhav Studios for the Lamput project in 2015.
Anand looks up to JRR Tolkien, Bill Watterson, Charles Schulz, George Herriman and Hayao Miyazaki, amongst others as huge inspirations of the idea of storytelling. In the current generation of animation artists in India, he considers his peer Vaibhav Kumaresh an influential figure.

Anand talks to Voyance about the process of animation, the animation industry in India and his own philosophies regarding the field. Catch the full feature: “Life in Animation”

https://voyancestories.com/feature-stories/life-in-animation/

Anand Babu is an animation artist working with Vaibhav Studios. He is the co-director of the acclaimed animated series Lamput.

25/04/2022

Merin Paul's photo series tries to capture the essence of life over a spectrum. Through her photos-

From a Locus of Power
The Eyes that Smile
Describe ‘Alone’
Blood, Sweat & Tears
Kids Ain’t Kids Anymore
Speckle of Yellow
The Green Lady of the Greens
The Gaze
Sharing the Load
Water Games
Lost in the Length of Time
Capture My Smile
She explores the idea of existence outside our perceived notions.

Check out the series on our website.
https://voyancestories.com/photography/kodachrome/

Kodachrome- Photos and musings by Merin Paul, a former Content Manager. She captured these scenes while travelling within the country

09/04/2022

Shyni Rajkumar is a biker-rider from Trivandrum, Kerala. She founded "Dauntless Royal Explorers" in 2016, the first women's biking & bullet club in Kerala.

Shyni has been a rider for nearly two decades now and has travelled extensively, especially across Kerala and South India. She also has the distinction of being the first person in Kerala to own Royal Enfield's Himalayan Offroad model.

Shyni has also organised and led several of the Kerala government's riding events, associated with organisations like the Youth Commission, Childline, RTO, Police Dept., the Council for Child Welfare, etc.

Shyni Rajkumar is an avid bike rider who has made her name in the biking world. She has encouraged and taught many young women to ride bikes.

09/04/2022

Shyni Rajkumar is a biker-rider from Trivandrum, Kerala. She founded "Dauntless Royal Explorers" in 2016, the first women's biking & bullet club in Kerala.

Shyni has been a rider for nearly two decades now and has travelled extensively, especially across Kerala and South India. She also has the distinction of being the first person in Kerala to own Royal Enfield's Himalayan Offroad model.

Shyni has also organised and led several of the Kerala government's riding events, associated with organisations like the Youth Commission, Childline, RTO, Police Dept., the Council for Child Welfare, etc.

Read her full story on our website.

01/04/2022

It has been a journey of great learning so far! We hope to bring you more stories of people and their perspectives.

26/12/2021

Thaj Backer was thirsty to discover something new to create his art with when trying to come out of a creative block he was in because of the pandemic. This thirst made him notice something from his childhood in a new light. His exhibits at the Lokame Tharavadu this year is a culmination of that whole process. Read about how he rediscovered the esoteric Ponnani Ink in our article.

“Our actions shouldn't be materialistic. The result of this series is that many people have gone back to Ponnani in search of this ink. That ability to take people back, only an artist has."

12/12/2021

Vinod Kumar M M, Director of DD Architects, speaks to us about his observations as an architect experienced in heritage projects.

Vinod’s work over 20 years has ranged from heritage conservation projects to contemporary design. Along the way, he has been bestowed with many awards and recognition, such as the UNESCO Asia Pacific Award for Excellence 2015, IIA Gold Leaf award (IIA State Awards for Excellence in Architecture 2011), Thrissur Pouravali a Public Forum honoured him as one of the 150 most talented people in the city in 2007.

Find out more about this renowned architect’s experiences and expertise in our interview with him.

https://voyancestories.com/feature-stories/conserving-the-spirit-of-architecture/

"I believe that architecture should always denote the time we live in. An antique is an antique; you cannot fake an antique.” When you try to copy an old structure just for that purpose, it creates unimaginative imitations...

07/12/2021

Dr Ramakrishnan Palat is the founder of the Prashanti School for Children with Special Needs, based in Kozhikode, Kerala. Established in 2000 under the Navajyothi Charitable Trust, Prasanthi has received numerous accolades for its efforts in the field of special needs education.

These include the “Spandana Award” from the central government in 2014 for excellence in work in the field of autism and the “Best Special School Award” two years consecutively from the Kerala government.

Into the third decade of its long journey, Prasanthi now consists of almost 150 children, aged 1 to 18 and more than 20 staff members.

Dr Palat also worked extensively on the topic of conservation of forest architecture receiving much acknowledgement, during his 34-year-long career as a Zoology professor.

To know more about Prasanthi and to be a part of its efforts, please visit - https://www.disabilitycalicutprasanthinct.com/

By Bharath Dr. Ramakrishnan Palat is the founder of the Prashanthi School for Children with Special Needs, based in Kozhikode, Kerala. Established in 2000, Prashanthi has received numerous accolades for its work in the field of autism and special needs education. During his academic career, Dr. Pala...

24/10/2021

Dr. Kalesh Sadasivan shares with Voyance the fascinating world of ants and his experiences of researching them.

A surgeon by profession, his passion for nature, research and photography took him exploring the forests of Western Ghats. His area of interest lies in insects.

The nature NGO, Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS) was founded in 2010 by Dr. Kalesh along with some others for promoting scientific research, particularly focussed on the Western Ghats.

He is settled in Thiruvananthapuram with his family.

Dr. Kalesh Sadasivan is a wildlife photographer, researcher, an amateur taxonomist and a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Specialist by profession at the Government Medical College, Trivandrum, Kerala. He is a founding member of TNHS, an NGO based in Trivandrum. He has discovered and described mor...

16/10/2021

As an author loved by children and adults alike, Khyrunnisa A shares her opinion about what writers today should do while writing for children.

We sat down with renowned author Khyrunnisa A ( ) to find out how she became the writer she is today. What helps her retain her ability to think from a child's perspective, and of course from where does she get her sense of humour?

Her books are funny, witty and engaging, drawing young readers to devour them as soon as they are released.

Watch the whole interview on our YouTube channel Voyance Panorama.

Link below-

https://youtu.be/gE440O73W2c

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