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Thanjavur – City of Ancient Art, Literature and Temples

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Thanjavur (or Tanjaur) in Tamil Nadu was once the capital of mighty Cholas. It is said that the kingdom was so fertile that elephants used to thrash paddy here. To this day, one can see stately ancient buildings and their ruins on almost every street of the city. Tamil Nadu is known for nurturing literature, classical music and arts for hundreds of years. Thanjavur is not untouched by the sophistication, culture and knowledge that Tamilians are so proud of. Thanjavur paintings use semi-precious stones and gold foil to create deities in a style unique to the region. Since genuine antique Tanjore paintings are extremely rare, you will find only newer ones (perhaps with antique finish) in the market.

Thanjavur is also famous for its Tanjore plates – brass places with silver inlay work, Indian musical instrument known as Veena, and colorful papier mache dolls known as Thanjavur thalayatti bommais which nod their heads like Bharatanatyam dancers. There is an interesting story about how the city of Thanjavur originated. It is believed that Lord Vishnu slew a demon or asur named Thanjan on the banks of River Cauvery. Just before dying, Thanjan prayed to Lord Vishnu that a beautiful and great town named after him rise on the spot of his death and his wish was granted. Thus, Thanjanasur (which later became Thanjavur) came into being.

Though some of the temple sites claim to be thousands of years old, the earliest of the present structures date back to 7th century CE. Home to some of the world’s finest temple architecture, Thanjavur has as many as 24 ancient temples that are worth a visit. However, three most celebrated and revered temples at Thanjavur are:

o Brihadeesvara Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the name of the temple literally means ‘Big’. The massive temple precincts have an enormous entrance arch and are surrounded by a moat that looks awe-inspiring. The grand temple does not have loud colored frescoes and has been purposefully given a sandstone-color finish to keep it unobtrusive and low key. The 13-tiered entrance tower to the sanctum carries a single block of granite stone weighing 80 tonnes on its top. Other notable features here include a 4-mile long ramp that was built to set the cupola in such a manner that its shadow never falls on the ground; the 12-foot tall monolithic idol of Nandi; and a 12 ft high lingam with a circumference of 54 ft. The beautiful frescoes of the shrine of Goddess Brihan Nayaki; the cave-like temple of Saint Karuvurar; and the Murugan shrine built like a chariot are a must-see at this temple.
o Bangaru Kamakshi Amman Temple: 2 kms from the Big Temple, this temple of Goddess Bangaru Kamakshi has an idol made in real gold, which is believed to have been brought here from Kanchipuram during Muslim invasion.
o Mariamman Temple: Goddess Mariamman, a manifestation of Mother Goddess, is believed to have curative and healing powers. Though the temple was built in the 18th century, the goddess was worshipped here in the form of an anthill since times immemorial. Descendants of the royal family of Thanjavur maintain the temple to this day. Devotees believe that goddess provides relief from measles, chicken pox and skin sores and that drops of moisture appear on the face and head of the idol from time to time.

Besides temples, Thanjavur has some beautiful architectural specimens at the Sivaganga Fort such as the 18th century Schwartz Church and the Royal Palace. The Rajaraja Museum and the Art Gallery are known for their rich collection of Chola bronzes and stone sculptures while the Saraswati Mahal Library in the palace complex has a large collection of rare manuscripts. You can also see panoramic views of the city from the ornamental balconies of the six-storey Sharajah Madi and the biggest cannon in India – Rajagopala Beerangi – at the fort.

Teaching About the Election to Elementary Students Using Literature and Technology

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Teaching about the election can be an interesting process. Of course the best way is to hold a mock election, or even better, a school election with children running for various offices. As with all curricular areas, experiencing the learning by participation cements the concepts.

Other ideas for teaching about the election include:

For Kindergarten and Grade 1

Read a book about an election and discuss the elements of election. Books I choose to use are “Duck for President” by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin (2004) and “My Teacher for President” by Kay Winters and Denise Brunkus (2008.)

After discussing the election process we make campaign posters. Students use a drawing program on the computer (I use KidPix) and type “Vote for ______” in huge letters. They add decorations to complete the poster. We print in color and staple to construction paper. Hanging this campaign poster on their bedroom doors will remind them of what they learned about the election.

For Grades 2 and 3

I read an election book such as “Pete for President” by Daisy Alberto (2004). We discuss election procedures but also emphasize telling the truth during the election process. During the story there is a page where there is a debate. I stop the story, have two kids join me up front, and simulate a debate. Sometimes I even tell one of the students to make outlandish claims about what he or she would do if they were to win. We finish reading the book and then discuss ways that students can improve the school.

The second graders make campaign posters just like the younger students but they add four ways they can make the school/world a better place. Examples might be: Eliminate bullies from the playground, Pick up Litter on the Playground, Be Nice to All People, Help Raise Money for New Library Books, etc.

In Grades 3 through 5

As the children get older I begin to teach about the electoral college. The best book I’ve found for this is “Grace for President” by Kelly Dipucchio and Leuyen Pham (2008.) After reading this story I send the students to explore an online simulation game at the Scholastic News website.

Grade 6: By the time students are in grade 6 they are ready to explore the issues of the candidates. To do this I ask the students to choose six issues to research on the websites of the candidates. The information that they gather can be presented in any manner; for instance, a 2-column display comparing the issues or using an organizing software such as Inspiration to create a web of information.

Overall, the more concrete examples you can give to students about the election will assist them in learning about the process that we embrace within our country.

For more information, samples, and a list of websites, download a free packet of Election materials at [http://technologylessonsforteachers.com]

Kathy Cothran is an elementary media specialist committed to helping teachers turn toys into learning tools. Her vast teaching experience ranges from preschool through Master’s level education classes.

For years Kathy has been a “Gadget Girl.” She loves technology! Tie that to her extensive teaching background and she has been able to interest, invigorate, and inspire children and teachers to use technology in a rich

Rhydyfelin Festival of Literature and Laughs

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On the 31st of May last year Rhydyfelin Library closed its doors for what appeared to be the last time. The village Library, which had been at the heart of the community for over 50 years, was one of 14 being shut down throughout the length and breadth of Rhondda Cynon Taf, sacrificed, along with sure-start centres, swimming pools and municipal theatres by a timid Council all too ready to inflict savage tory austerity on some of the poorest areas in Wales rather than take a principled stand against a Government of right-wing ideologues minded to dismantle the welfare state.

Despite a radical campaign of civil disobedience designed to shame the Council into re-thinking its scandalous closure programme, the residents were unable to stop the Library doors from being slammed shut on that fateful, spring afternoon. Although, some of the borrowers, even then, refused to go gentle into that good night, chaining themselves to the bookshelves in one final act of defiance.

And that’s where the story ends, at least for the forgotten Libraries of Treherbert, Ton-Pentre, Penygraig, Ynyshir, Cwmbach, Penrhiwceiber, Ynysybwl, Cilfynydd, Tonyrefail, Nantgarw, Beddau and Maerdy. Buildings that once echoed with the laughter of children and the voices of poets and storytellers, that dished out local knowledge and life-long learning at the drop of a hat, that organised coffee mornings once a month for Macmillan and the gathering of the clans for knitting, keep-fit and, of course, book club every single day of the week were lost forever. The successful implementation of RCT’s Library closure programme – or book burning on an industrial scale, as I prefer to call it, was now the law of the land.

You will have spotted, I’m sure, the sole Library missing from the heinous hit-list above. The Rhydyfelin Library Support Group, formed in the heat of battle, had recruited a dedicated army of members who would not countenance defeat. They were playing a long game – the small matter of the Library being boarded up wasn’t going to deter those who knew that Albert Einstein was at his wisest when proclaiming “The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.”

A judicial review was sought and won amid scenes of jubilant celebration at Newport Crown Court, a decision respected by new Council Leader Andrew Morgan, who brought a more enlightened approach to negotiations with RLSG than previous incumbents of his office. Throughout the struggle, as befits a movement to save Public Libraries, language was central to the success of the campaign – whether in the moving testimonies of borrowers who wrote with sadness and fury to the Pontypridd Observer or in the poetry of local school children inspired, no doubt, by the unimpeachable example of Mike Church (one of the ‘felin four’ who had chained themselves beneath the Mills and Boon). It was Church who gave voice to the anger and defiance of a community trying to save itself from the scrapheap with his poem “Upper Cuts” which fast became the “anthem” of the campaign.

It was Church, too, who helped mastermind and curate the inaugural Rhydyfelin Library Festival of Literature and Laughs last October and last night’s even more successful follow up.

Rhydyfelin Community Centre (the Library’s temporary home) was packed to the rafters for a joyous celebration of poetry, comedy and song compared by Mike Church himself. Saxophonist Hannah Morris accompanied the audience to their seats before local favourite Paul Rosser (of Watermelons fame) kicked off proceedings with a fiery set of folk-rock, the highlights of which were his heart-wrenching cover of Steve Earle’s “The Mountain” and a memorable composition of his own “Walking on Thin Ice”. Church filled in the gaps between performances with readings from his latest collection Free Running with Words. His opening poem “Migration Blues” sees the poet take a self-deprecating swipe at himself as a ‘legal alien – an Englishman in Nantgarw… unwelcome in the rucks and mauls’, whilst making a wider point about adopting a more humane approach to the plight of asylum seekers. “Love Poem” and “Know All” got laughs in all the right places too and, of course, “Upper Cuts” was bound to receive the biggest cheer of the night.

Fellow poet Clare Potter, winner of the John Tripp Award for Spoken Poetry, delivered an innovative, alternative group of poems that took the audience outside of their comfort zone, before bilingual singer/songwriter Aled Rheon sang a beautiful sequence of songs, the pick of which were “Wrap up Warm” and one of my favourite songs of 2015, or any other year for that matter, the wistful ballad “September”. Rheon is currently touring with the prestigious BBC Horizons project and has a new album ready for release which, on tonight’s evidence, should be an essential purchase. Madcap ukulele player Jeff Japers brought the first half to a close and nearly brought the house down in the process with a brace of riotously funny songs. If his tour de force “I Love Lemonade” had been around at the time of prohibition America would still be teetotal today!

The second half began with Hannah Morris switching to the flute for a rapturously received selection of songs from musical theatre, including “Music of the Night” and “On My Own”. Matthew Frederick pianist and vocalist with one of Wales’ most critically admired bands, Pontypridd’s Climbing Trees, then took centre stage to play a handful of tracks taken from his successful solo album Live at Long Row. The standout song, for me, was the yearning ballard “Venus and Mars”, still my favourite Frederick number, although the bluesy workouts “My Woman” and “Parking Ticket Blues” went over particularly well on the night too. With a second Climbing Trees album all but done and dusted and a clutch of classic ballads written with gifted singer/songwriter Jodie Marie under his belt, there’s every indication that 2016 could prove to be a very significant year indeed for the multi-talented musician. Jeff Japers returned to prolonged applause to bring a wonderful, feel-good evening to an uproarious close with two more screwball songs “Tigers and Bees” and “Bonfire Night”.

When the definitive history of Rhydyfelin is written there will undoubtedly be a chapter devoted to the Save The Library campaign that put this little village on the front pages of the South Wales Echo and at the top of news bulletins in the Principality throughout 2014, and perhaps there will be a chapter, too, on the success of the Festival of Literature and Laughs and