Things that made Coimbatore smile in 2014

From music and movies to fitness and food, Metroplus chronicles the year gone by.

December 30, 2014 08:07 pm | Updated 08:07 pm IST

Art unplugged:A scene from Mahadevbhai

Art unplugged:A scene from Mahadevbhai

As in every other year, 2014 has seen highs and lows. Our city has had remarkable moments. The prayer and hope is that 2015 will be an improvement.

Celebrating childhood

While the Peshawar massacre is a blot on mankind, one hopes man’s better instincts will prevail. Some good men and women in Coimbatore showed kids how important they were. Films, puppet shows, story-telling sessions, music, dance, theatre, poetry, art... children took part in myriad activities and took back lessons for a better life. Be it Bharathiar’s poetry or an introduction to Picasso, they spent enriching moments in an environment of positivity, laughter and excitement.

Environment

Pockets of Coimbatore still look as if they have not been cleaned since the plague. But there are areas that are cleaner and brighter. Some right-thinking citizens have come out to clean neighbourhoods, paint public spaces and spread awareness on cleanliness. Many local residents’ associations take up cleaning drives on Sunday mornings. Trees were chopped down, but saplings were planted too, in their hundreds. Groups of birders head out in the weekend to spot new avian visitors. And, societies spearheaded by youngsters introduce people to the joys of Nature.

Fitness

The city is teeming with fitness enthusiasts. They go on treks and cycle. And yes, run long-distance. In its second year, the Coimbatore Marathon grew in strength, with participants from all over the country. There were other marathons too by NGOs, corporates and hospitals — mostly in support of causes.

Food

2014 was the year of Coimbatore’s home bakers. They sprung up across the city, held classes, and sold home-made cupcakes, brownies, tarts and more. Mention must be made of the city’s food groups, especially Kovai Foodies and Coimbatore Food Guide, that have kept the buzz going with contests, reviews and special offers.

Shopping

We had our share of routine exhibitions and shopping festivals, in halls and hotels, but we also saw the rise of the innovative Sunday Santhai, which celebrates up and coming entrepreneurs and gives them a platform to meet clients.

Art

Artists, young and old, from within and outside Coimbatore, showcased their works here. Many were abstract, filled with pop culture references and humour. Some recreated the murals of yore. Photography exhibitions were also held. Galleries from outside the city such as ArtChutney and Sakshi Art Gallery came here and presented the works of masters such as M.F. Husain and Paritosh Sen, as well as emerging ones. They enriched our understanding of what constitutes art.

On the national front, art is being democratised, and being showcased on the streets, in the form of graffiti. Coimbatore has its share too, thanks to My Clean City, a group of youngsters connected by Facebook and their love for the city. Prime walls in the city now sport a splash of colour.

Cinema

The city’s short film makers are riding a high, making films that touch a chord among viewers. They are even finding new avenues to screen their films. The city had its share of stardust; Vikram and Vishal shot here. The sprightly “Coimbatore is Happy” video made you fall in love with the city and its people all over again.

Auditions are being held to spot new talent among youngsters. New movie groups such as Kovai Cine Blitz and Coimbatore Talkies have sprung up, even while Konangal Film Society continues improving our cinematic taste.

Theatre & Music

Acting workshops for children and adults were in full swing in 2014. The supper theatre movement has caught on in the city. The Hindu MetroPlus Theatre Fest was a huge draw too, with scintillating fare such as Mahadevbhai , where Jaimini Pathak brought alive history, and the humourous Rafta Rafta and Noises Off .

Hijra , a play on transgenders by the Pune-based Aakanksha Rangabhoomi, brought alive their agony and angst, their doubts and confusions, and their small joys.

The Hindu Friday Review November Fest saw musicians explore the possibilities of marrying Indian and Western music genres. There was the experimental Simon Thacker’s Svara-Kanti, the rousing Indian National Orchestra and the rocking Thaikkudam Bridge. Besides this, musicians from outside the city such as Raghu Dixit and Kavitha Krishnamoorthy performed to packed audiences. The soulful songs of Parvathy Baul and the strains of her ektara still reverberate in Vidya Vanam. She’d come here as part of Svanubhava’s first event in the city.

Philanthropy

We conclude with spirit of philanthropy that defines Coimbatore. Teachers and volunteers have gone out of their way to make education accessible to all. For some years now, Nizhal Maiyyam has been serving hot breakfast on Sunday to hundreds of children living in orphanages. And, every Saturday, Small Differences seeks to bring a spot of sunshine in the lives of the abandoned aged.

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