Busking, open library to change the face of city

Thiruvananthapuram: City folks are coming up with innovative ideas to use the vacant city spaces. Chumaduthaangi Kavala and Aksharavedi are two such initiatives, which would be launched in the city on Saturday.
With the aim to develop the vacant space at the Spencer Junction into a cultural hub, Chumaduthaangi Kavala, a collective of four individuals, comprising assistant cameraman Jerry Mathew, freelance journalist Naveen Nath, government servant Sukesh Raj and journalism student Vishnu A are planning to conduct literary and cultural events there every Saturdays.
It was the idea to begin busking (street performance) in the city that led the collective to the Chumaduthaangi Kavala at Spencer's Junction. "Chumaduthaangi Kavala was the outcome of hours of long of discussion that my friends and I had about the need for an informal space in the city, where people can exhibit their talent without coughing up loads of money-be it singers, dancers or photographers. The vacant space at Spencer Junction was found apt due to its proximity to the Indian Coffee House, which is visited by people from different walks of life," said Jerry Mathew. The group would kick off the initiative by organizing a tribute to Michael Jackson at 5pm on Saturday, on his seventh death anniversary.
Similarly, Nizhalattam, an arts and cultural society, would establish an open library, Aksharavedi on the Manaveeyam Road. Unlike other libraries, there would be no membership fee or fines. Interested people can borrow books on Sundays from 9am to 10pm for two weeks. Apart from the books, the library would have a collection of movies and Aksharavedi would also conduct discussions and book release events.
"We have received around 400 books for our library. We plan to expand the library and the area as an open space, where people can come to read books. It found successful we would launch the initiative to other places in the city," said Ratheesh Rohini, organizer of Aksharavedi. The library would be inaugurated at 5pm on Saturday, followed by the release of an anthology of poems 'Nettiyil Murivulla Kallu' by V S Bindu.