Celebrate the glory of Madurai

This is meant to be a people’s festival. The commoners of the city are consciously taking part in Maamadurai Potruvom to make it a success story and a forerunner for future initiatives. The impact is already visible in the various small voluntary projects that have grown under the larger canopy of the festival and many hope that the mega event would continue to celebrate the city and its richness in the coming years. The logo has been designed by artist Trotsky Marudu. Paintings by the pavement A group of school art-teachers and freelance artists are beautifying a part of the city. Colourful paintings adorn the Medical College compound wall, and a number of artists are working on the platform. “They have been working since a week,” says Gandhirajan, artist and art historian and also the co-ordinator for Maa Madurai art project. “Nearly 50 paintings have been done for the festival. This is an initiative to spread awareness about Madurai’s richness in art and architecture.” The paintings point to the typical elements that define the city from the sculptures of Pudumandapam and the temple towers to jasmine fields, Yanaimalai and the everyday life of the people. Read more

‘Vishwaroopam’ is a crowd-puller in Madurai

Kamal Hassan's controversial film ‘Vishwaroopam’ hit the screens in Madurai on Thursday, drawing good crowds. The day passed off without any untoward incidents, police said and added that adequate security was provided at the five cinema houses in the city to ward of anti-social elements. Police prevented jubilant fans from bursting crackers at a cinema house in Arapalayam. The fans then distributed sweets instead. According to a cinema house manager, the movie may run to packed houses for at least the next seven days. With the weekend beginning tomorrow, cinema-goers are already jostling for advance bookings, he added.The same trend was reported in the peripheries of the city a large turnout at Tirunagar, Tirumangalam at Usilampatti theatres to watch the movie on the first day, first show.

Madurai Railway division imposes ban on spitting, smoking

The Madurai Railway division, known for its spic-and-span atmosphere, has imposed ban on spitting and smoking in all station premises in the division.
   
According to a directive issued by Divisional Railway Manager, Ajay Kant Rastogi, those who spit in the platform would have to shell out Rs.500 as fine. Littering with cigarette stubs also had been banned.
   
"Our motive is to promote good habits," said an official.

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