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DJ parties and light shows replace the traditional festival ambience in Kerala.
Traditionally rooted in rituals, classical performances and percussion ensembles like chenda melam, temple festivals have recently embraced modern entertainment elements. The trend is equally evident in annual church festivals, with recent examples including the extravagant celebrations at the Immaculate Conception Church in Mananthavady and Infant Jesus Church at Kallettumkara in Thrissur. DJ parties featuring electronic music and dazzling light shows have now become part and parcel of festivities, especially during the Utsavam season.
Just a week ago, the Uravinkal Devi temple festival in Naduvathur, Koyilandy, hosted one of the largest DJ events and light shows in the district, setting the stage for a growing trend. Several other temples, including Naduvathur Temple, Arikulam Temple, Muchukunnu Kottayil Shiva Temple and Cherimangadu Kottayi Temple, have followed suit, with many more set to incorporate similar spectacles in the upcoming festival season.
The evolution of these festivals highlights a fusion of tradition and modernity.
However, the fusion has sparked intense debate within local communities. Traditionalists believe that the sanctity of temple premises is being compromised, while proponents of modernisation insist that festivals are evolving social gatherings that must reflect contemporary sensibilities.
Senior journalist Mathew Samuel was booked for inciting communal hatred in Kerala
After the legal proceedings against BJP leader P C George, the Erattupetta police have registered a case against senior journalist and former Tehelka managing editor Mathew Samuel for allegedly spreading communal hatred against Muslims through his YouTube channel, ‘Mathew Samuel Official’. The action was taken after police received a batch of petitions against Samuel for allegedly referring to Erattupetta as ‘Mini Taliban’ and accused the majority of people in the municipality of supporting Islamic terror, through his YouTube channel speech. Kottayam district police chief A Shahul Hameed said the case was initiated on a complaint filed by DYFI. The case was filed under various sections, including those related to promoting religious enmity and inciting riots. Apart from DYFI, organisations such as Youth League, and PDP have also filed complaints.
Drug Trafficking linked to Madrassa.
Left-backed MLA links Kerala drug trafficking to Madrassa students, IUML hits back
Independent MLA KT Jaleel from Thavanur in Kerala claimed that individuals involved in drug trafficking often come from Madrassas, sparking controversy. IUML MLA Najeeb Kandhapuram slammed his remarks as baseless and politically motivated. Speaking at an Iftar gathering in Malappuram, Thavanur MLA Jaleel claimed that those involved in drug trafficking and MDMA possession are often from religious schools, adding that children from the Hindu community and those without religious education have shown “more moral responsibility.” Jaleel stated that financial greed was driving people into drug smuggling. “Trafficking MDMA, trafficking drugs, selling them, and becoming their carriers are all for the sake of getting money,” he said, urging Muslim organisations to intervene in the issue. He warned of serious consequences if the problem was not confronted.
Catholic Church on Waqf.
Kerala High Court Waqf ruling proof of limitations: Deepika Kerala’s newspaper affiliated with Catholic Churches criticised Waqf laws after the High Court quashed a judicial commission in the Munambam dispute. The editorial accused politicians of appeasement and said India’s legal system has limitations in handling Waqf-related cases. The editorial in the Malayalam newspaper, Deepika, criticised political parties for defending what it termed “primitive provisions” of Waqf laws in Parliament, urging them to “correct themselves at least now.” “You are dragging the secular people of Kerala into a new political polarisation. This appeasement politics has become unbearable,” it said.
The News Paper welcomed the Waqf amendment bill being introduced in Parliament for better justice for victims.
The dispute revolves around land in Munambam, Ernakulam, where more than 600 families, mostly Christians, contest the Kerala Waqf Board’s claim over their property. The conflict has led to protests from residents, intensifying tensions over land ownership in the coastal village.
Violent films have undesirable effects on society, says Kerala High Court.
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday questioned the extent to which the State can regulate the portrayal of violence in films and other media, asking whether such depictions merely reflect societal realities or contribute to glorification. Justice Nambiar acknowledged that the portrayal of violence in films and visual media can harm the audience. “No doubt that violence in films and visual media can have undesirable effects on people as it can be seen as encouraging them because you glorify this violence. But on the other hand, you have the freedom of speech and expression, and to what extent that goes will depend on public and constitutional morality,” he remarked. However, the Court also posed a counterpoint, questioning whether cinema is merely reflecting existing violence in society. “Is too much violence or the glorification of violence desirable, or are films just depicting the realities of today’s society?” Justice Nambiar asked, emphasising that such considerations must be factored into any proposed law addressing harassment in the film industry.
CPM in dock after party symbols, youth wing songs played at Kerala temple festival.
A controversy erupted after revolutionary songs linked to CPI(M)’s youth wing were performed at a Kerala temple festival during a musical program at the Kadakkal Devi Temple in Kollam. While the Travancore Devaswom Board has sought a report from the organisers, OppositionCongrees leader VD Satheesan condemned the ruling party, calling it arrogance. VD Satheesan strongly criticised the CPI(M), accusing it of attempting to create conflict. “Is their goal to create a clash and pave the way for the BJP? Don’t they have any other place to sing? Are they asking devotees at the temple’s music festival if they know their Comrades? This is sheer arrogance of power,” he said, calling the CPI(M) a “shameless party.” Along with the party songs, DYFI flags and the CPI(M) symbol were displayed on the screen during the performance, intensifying the row. The festival committee clarified that they were unaware of the song choices beforehand and that the revolutionary songs were performed at the audience’s request.
Kerala woman arrested under Pocso Act for abusing 12-year-old girl.
A 23-year-old woman was arrested on Friday for allegedly sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in Kerala’s Kannur district, police said. The accused, identified as Sneha Merlin, a resident of Pulimparamba near Taliparamba, was taken into custody under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (Pocso).
The case came to light after a teacher at the girl’s school confiscated a mobile phone from her bag and, upon inspection, suspected something unusual. Concerned about the content, the teacher informed the child’s parents, who subsequently took her for counselling with Childline. During the counselling session, the girl disclosed that she had been sexually abused multiple times by Sneha Merlin. Childline authorities then alerted the police, leading to the woman’s arrest. Police said the accused had allegedly given gifts, including a gold bracelet, to the girl. They added that the arrest was linked to incidents that took place in February.
Shashi Tharoor praises PM again, now over stand on Ukraine war.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor admitted that he was “left with egg on the face” in opposing India’s stance when the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in 2022. At that time he had criticised India’s stance when Russia invaded Ukraine and called for condemnation of the aggression. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday conceded that he was left with an egg on his face in opposing India’s stance when the Russia-Ukraine war broke out and said due to the policy that was adopted, the country was now in a position where it could make a difference for lasting peace. The Congress MP said the policy adopted by India following the outbreak of the conflict meant that the country had a prime minister who could hug both the president of Ukraine and the president in Moscow two weeks apart and be accepted in both places.
