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Retired Honorary Subedar Major Lijesh T P surprised onlookers at a temple festival by performing a classical dance alongside his 17-year-old daughter, Vaidehi, who was also scheduled to perform. Initially mistaken by organizers as a single performer named Vaidehi Lijesh, Lijesh, who recently retired after 28 years in the Indian Army, revealed his participation when he emerged in classical dance attire. This unexpected joint performance stemmed from a deal Lijesh made with Vaidehi: he would learn classical dance from her if she agreed to take karate lessons with their son, a proposition she initially rejected. After dedicated daily practice sessions, with his wife Santhini recording and critiquing their progress, the father-daughter duo presented a four-minute performance depicting Samudra Manthan, receiving overwhelming applause and appreciation, with Lijesh stating that after his army service, this performance was not frightening. The duo, now preparing for future choreographies, are a testament to Lijesh's determination to prove himself capable of learning new skills and pursuing his childhood interest in dance.
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In a conversation with Malayala Manorama, renowned author and Kerala Sahitya Akademi Chairman K Satchidanandan shared his views on contemporary India, Malayali society, and the role of poetry, emphasizing the importance of fearless expression and intellectual honesty, even in the face of potential repercussions like the shutting down of his social media accounts, drawing parallels to the imprisonment of his former student Hany Babu. He warned against totalitarianism, citing one-party rule as a precursor and the silencing of opposition as a key enabler, while advocating for humility and self-criticism, contrasting his flexible approach with the perceived rigidity of some in the cultural sphere, and asserting his willingness to openly criticize even those he aligns with. Satchidanandan also discussed the limitations of Artificial Intelligence in poetry, the need for broader leftist perspectives beyond Kerala's partisan divides, the crucial role of experience alongside aptitude in creativity, the decline of meaningful literary criticism in favor of social media's often abusive discourse, and the necessity of development that prioritizes environmental and humanitarian concerns over mere material progress, ultimately highlighting the democratic importance of change in governance to prevent the monopolization and misuse of power.
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