TholpavaKoothu is a unique shadow puppet theatre form of Kerala.
It is an ancient peculiar ritualistic art form dedicated to Bhagavati, worshiped by the people of Kerala as the Mother Goddess.
It is performed using leather puppets at the specially constructed theatre called Koothu Madam in front of the Bhagavati temple.
It is believed to have originated in the ninth century AD.
It uses Tamil epic “Kamba Ramayana” as its basic text.
The language used is a dialect of Tamil with an admixture of Sanskrit and Malayalam words.
It is a fine example of the integration of Aryan and Dravidian cultures.
It is preserved as a family tradition by the Pulavars.
INSV Tarini
INSV Tarini is the Indian Navy’s second ocean going sailboat.
Navika Sagar Parikrama is a project wherein a team of women officers of the Indian Navy would circumnavigate the globe on INSV Tarini.
This is the first ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all-women crew.
It has completed its first leg of its maiden voyage (Goa to Australia) and started its second leg of its global expedition from Australia to New Zealand.
“INSV Tarini” was built based on the design of famous temple Tara Tarini.
The temple is situated in Kumari hills at the bank of the River Rushikulya, Odisha.
Scientists have discovered the most ancient spiral galaxy in the universe known as “A1689B11” that existed almost 11 billion years ago.
It existed just 2.6 billion years after the Big Bang (13 billion years ago), when the universe was only one-fifth of its present age.
It is a spiral galaxy, which could provide insights into the early cosmos.
Scientists used a powerful technique on the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii to verify the spiral nature of the galaxy.
Aircraft Launch System
India is going to launch second indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-II) - INS Vishal, using US based aircraft launch mechanisms.
It will have to choose between catapult-based aircraft launch mechanism (CATOBAR) and electro-magnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS).
CATOBAR is powered by a steam catapult and EMALS uses an electric motor-driven catapult instead.
The use of electro-magnetic energy allows the launch of much heavier aircraft and also reduces the stress on the aircraft.
INS Vishal, 65,000-70,000 tonne nuclear-powered vessel is a follow up of INS Vikrant class of aircraft carriers.
India’s first domestic carrier, Vikrant, weighing 40,000 tonnes, is scheduled to be launched by 2018-end.
It works on a Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) mechanism similar to that in the present carrier INS Vikramaditya.
Black Buck Reserve
A wildlife conservation reserve dedicated exclusively to the blackbuck is coming up in the Trans-Yamuna region of Allahabad near the MP and UP border.
Blackbuck or Antilopecervicapra, also known as Indian Antelope is found in India, Nepal and Pakistan.
It is the sole living member of the genus Antilope and is classified under the family Bovidae.
It is known for its majestic spiral horns (in males) and coat colour contrasts.
They are found in the open Savannahs of north and central India, but are now restricted to just a few patches and habitats.
It is inhabited in:
Velavadar Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat
Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary in Karnataka
Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary in Maharashtra
Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary in Bihar
It is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act and Appendix III of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).
The reserve in Allahabad is the first ever conservation reserve of its kind in UP.
Autumn Leaf
The Autumn Leaf is a rare butterfly species normally found in Karnataka and Kerala.
It resembles a leaf found in the autumn with an orangish tinge.
It is spotted for the first time after few years, in the Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary (GSWS), Tamil Nadu.
GSWS, also known as Srivilliputhur Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the endangered grizzled squirrel, is bordered by Periyar Tiger Reserve and Palaghat gap.
It is considered as one of the Butterfly hotspots.
