Events

FARMER’S TRAINING

The annual farmer training programme in Manjakkudi has seen an encouraging response. As part of the training, an agricultural expert visits once a month and give a talk on topics and best practices related to organic farming. The last few training sessions are designed as practical sessions, where the farmers learn to make their own compost and manure. This year, 26 farmers enrolled for the programme. When the programme concluded, nine farmers were inspired to cultivate heritage rice varieties using organic farming practices for the Champa season. SDET stepped in to oversee their efforts, and supported them all through season. In addition, when they harvested their grain in late January, SDET found markets for their produce.

MANJAKKUDI CONVENTION

The Annual Convention at Manjakkudi is structured as a cultural knowledge sharing platform that enables students from rural India to gain education of our vast heritage and traditions and also experience the aesthetic beauty by appreciating classical dance and music.

The 16th Annual Convention at Manjakkudi was conducted from 20 January to 26 January at Sri. GR Auditorium at the Swami Dayananda College of Arts & Science. The main highlights were thought-provoking speeches on intangible cultural heritage that included artwork, monuments and ancestral values. In the evenings, the audience was treated to dance and music performances by eminent artistes.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 16th ANNUAL CONVENTION AT MANJAKKUDI

Opening ceremony with lighting of the lamp and Welcome address by Smt. Sheela Balaji, Chairperson & Managing Trustee of SDET | Inauguration and Presidential Address by Dr. Alarmel Valli, Director of Dipasikha Dance Foundation, Chennai

Lectures and Talks

Dr. Kodavayil Balasubramaniyan, eminent epigraphist and archaeologist on ‘Cultural Elements and Art Work of the Chola Dynasty’ | Dr. Chithra Madhavan, eminent historian on ‘Rajendra Chola’ and the ancient tradition of sculpting | Sri. V. Sriram, music historian and heritage activist, on the ‘Trinity of Carnatic Music’ | Sri. D.V. Sridhar, Founder of Yoga Rakshanam, Chennai, on ‘Secret of Healthy Body and Mind’ – from Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Dr. K. Manivasagam, Assistant Professor of Tamil, Swami Dayananda College of Arts & Science, on 'Ayurveda, Food and Yoga' | Dr. Kodavayil Balasubramaniyan, eminent epigraphist and archaeologist on Darasuram Airavateshwara Temple | Sri. Niranjan Bharathi, poet and film lyricist, and descendent of Mahakavi Bharathiyar, on the life and poetry of Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi | Vedanta Talk Series by Swamini Brahma Prakashananda Saraswati ji

Music Concerts and Performances

Inaugural music performance by Smt. Bombay Jayashri Ramnath with Mangala Isai Nadaswaram of Sri. K.S. Sivasubramanian and group | Sri. Ramakrishnan Murthy with Kumari Sriranjani Santhanagopalan and Sri. N. Vijaya Siva | Violin and percussion concert by Sri. R.K. Shriram and group | Carnatic music concert by Sri. Sanjay Subrahmanyanand Kumari Bharathi Ramasubban