This story is from August 18, 2014

Malayalam pallikoodam launched

The crowded registration counter at the Orthodox Student centre is a proof that old 'aasan pallikoodam' is still a sought after education centre.
Malayalam pallikoodam launched
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The crowded registration counter at the Orthodox Student centre is a proof that old 'aasan pallikoodam' is still a sought after education centre.
When film director Adoor Gopalakrishnan inaugurated 'Malayalam Pallikoodam' on Sunday it was a different beginning for the Malayalam New Year for the city. Addressing the crowd, Adoor said that the endeavour is a privilege to the young generation at a time where the culture and traditional values are fading out.
He said the project will help the kids to get know the tradition of Malayalam language through the formulated learning pattern developed by poet V Madhusoodhanan Nair.
Adoor distributed wooden slates, which were used as props for one of his films, to nine students who enrolled first as students of Malayalam Pallikoodam.
Pallikoodam offers a package of grandma stories, poems, sand writing and word puzzles to learn the language. "The registration has exceeded the calculated limit of 50 students. Now we are planning to add more batches in the project considering the demand," said Arun Varghese, programme co- coordinator. Kids aged between 4 and 6 got enrolled at the school.
The idea of "Malayalam Pallikoodam" was put forward by prominent poet and writer Prof. V.Madhusoodhanan Nair. The poet introduced the reincarnation of "Aashan Kalari" to the audience by point outing that the kid who plays by making his own toys will develop managing ability and will start learning things by him.
The "Malayalam Pallikoodam" draws the kids in the city to experience the culture and purity of the Malayalam language through different workshops, games and poems. The kids are provided a two-hour Malayalam learning class on every Sunday which is free from home works, baggage of books, exams etc. "The young generation should know the culture of Malayalam and must be good to pronounce his or her mother tongue clearly. We are now living in a 'Manglish' society. Through Malayalam Pallikoodam, we wish to make our young society develop love for the mother tongue and uphold its values," says Jessy Narayan, Convenor of the project.

Students will be taught under Kolencheri Gopalakrishnan Aasan , who used to teach students in sand writing. The classes will be on every Sunday from 10am to 12pm with fees of Rs 500 per month. It functions at Orthodox Students Centre, opposite AKG Centre.
Renowned literary scholars and poets including Perumbadavam Sreedharan, Prabha Varma, Rose Mary, artist Narayana Bhattatiri also spoke to kids on the first day of Pallikkoodam.
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About the Author
Jisha Surya

Jisha Surya is a principal correspondent with The Times of India, Thiruvananthapuram bureau. She started her career with The New Indian Express in 2008. Jisha covers the beats of City Infrastructure, Kerala Water Authoriy and PWD.

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