HMS Pegasus (1878) and Ottamthullal

HMS Pegasus was a Doterel-class screw composite 6-gun sloop launched on 13 June 1878. She was sold for scrap in 1892.

Contents 1 Design 2 Construction 3 Service history 3.1 Occupation of Port Hamilton 4 Fate 5 References

Design

The Doterel class were a development of the Osprey-class sloops and were of composite construction, with wooden hulls over an iron frame. The original 1874 design by the Chief Constructor, William Henry White was revised in 1877 by Sir Nathaniel Barnaby and nine were ordered. Of 1,130 tons displacement and approximately 1,100 indicated horsepower, they were capable of approximately 11 knots and were armed with two 7" muzzle loading rifled guns on pivoting mounts, and four 64-pound guns (two on pivoting mounts, and two broadside). They had a crew complement of approximately 140 men. Construction

Pegasus was laid down at Devonport Royal Dockyard in 1877 and launched on 13 June 1878. She was commissioned on 5 March 1879, and was classified as both a sloop of war and as a colonial cruiser. She was capable of attaining 11.4 kn (21.1 km/h) under full steam or 15 knots under sail. Service history

The primary purpose of ships of her class was to maintain British naval dominance through trade protection, anti-slavery, and long term surveying. Pegasus served on the China Station. Occupation of Port Hamilton

With a view to forestalling Russian intentions, on 16 April 1885 Pegasus, Agamemnon and Firebrand occupied Port Hamilton, a small group of islands in the Jeju Strait off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula. The base was demolished and the occupation ended on 27 February 1887 after the Russian threat had diminished. Fate

Pegasus was sold to George Cohen for breaking on 11 August 1892.

Ottamthullal and HMS Pegasus (1878)

Contents 1 History 2 Performers 3 Theme 4 Language 5 Works 6 Artists 7 Related images 8 See also 9 External links 10 References

History An Ottamthullal performance during a temple festival. Ottamthullal. Ottamthullal.

Ottamthullal has its origins in the classical principles of Natya Shastra, a treatise on art originating in the 2nd century B.C. The word Thullal means to jump or leap about in the Tamil language. Tradition has it that Nambiar, the poet, fell asleep while playing the mizhavu for a Chakyar Koothu performance, inviting ridicule from the chakyar. In response, Nambiar developed Ottamthullal, which parodied prevalent sociopolitical questions and regional prejudices. The chakyar complained about Nambiar's production to the king of Chembakassery. The king banned performances of Ottamthullal from the Ambalapuzha temple complex. Closely related art forms are Seethankan thullal and Parayan thullal. Mathur Panikkar popularized Ottamthullal for modern audiences. Ottamthullal competitions are held and the art form may be used to spread a social message. Performers

In Ottamthullal, a solo performer, with green makeup and a colourful costume (decorated with a long red and white band and painted wooden ornaments), acts and dances while reciting dance Thullal (lyrics). A chorus or one artist or more, repeats each sentence as it is completed. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru likened Ottamthullal to a poor man's Kathakali. More recently, Ottamthullal has been performed with a solo female actor and with an ensemble cast. Theme

Nambiar parodies landlords and other prominent citizens. For example, the character of Bhima from the epic the Mahabharata is portrayed as an oaf. Higher castes including Brahmin were not spared. Language

Ottamthullal was performed in Sanskrit which pleased local audiences. Old sayings and elements of folklore were used. The satirical nature of the works invited artists to improvise. The rhythm of the language varied from the simple to the rare and complex. Examples of the lines include: "Embranalpam kattubujichal," (If the chief of the temple steal and eat a little,) "Ambalavasikalokke kakkum." (All the dependents of the temple will steal.)

and, "Asanaksharamonnu pizhachal" (If teacher commits one mistake,) "Ambathettu pizhakkum sishyanu." (the student will commit fifty-eight mistakes.) Works

There may be forty or more Ottamthullal works. Examples include: Kallyana Sougandhikam (a rare flower), Bhima is searching for the flower and has a long conversation with his older brother, Hanuman. Thottodunna, parody of the Nair army (Nayar pada). Artists

Proponents of Ottamthullal have included: Malabar Raman Nair, Evoor Damodaran Nair, Cannanore P. S. Nair, Divakaran Nair, C. S. and Neelakanta Pillai. Contemporary artists include Kandamandalam Sharmila and Tharamakudy Karunakaran Children may learn to perform Ottamthullal. Related images

Chakyar koothu.

Chakyar koothu.

Sheethankan Thullal. See also Arts of Kerala Killikkurussimangalam Mani Madhava Chakyar Chakyar koothu Kathakali Mohiniyattam Koodiyattam Panchavadyam Kerala Kalamandalam External links
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