 |
||||
 |
||||
 |
||||
 |
||||
|
||||
 |
||||
 |
||||
 |
||||
 |
||||
|
01 |
I have never studied any of the arts and I am not so young. Is it too late to start now? |
02 |
Will I be the only foreign student or, on the contrary, will I find myself in an 'enclosed cell' of foreigners in a holiday atmosphere? |
03 |
In which language is the teaching conveyed? |
04 |
What can we learn in a short visit? |
05 |
Can I learn more than two subject with extra payment? |
06 |
Should I have some study materials?or What should we bring? |
07 |
Will I get a Certificate? |
08 |
Is the centre's courses valid for credit in Western universities? |
09 |
Will I have a chance to perform what I learn? |
10 |
Can we bring our children? |
11 |
Which clothes are most suitable? |
12 |
How is the night life? |
13 |
Can we see some festivals or night performances of Kathakali? |
14 |
What about insurance or medical help? |
15 |
Which is the easiest way to change money? |
16 |
How should I pay? |
17 |
I am in India now. I cannot send a cheque.How can I register? |
18 |
How can I get a Student Visa or is it all right with a Tourist Visa? |
19 |
When should I take a Residential Permit and how to do that? Do I have any benefits with it? |
20 |
Is it better to sightsee before or after our stay at the centre? |
21 |
Is the centre open all the year round? |
Answers
|
|
01 |
I have never studied any of the arts and I am not so young. Is it too late to start now? |
Of
course not! We have students from 5 - 77 years of age. Many of our
visitors are not professional artists. Sometimes it may be easier
not having to forget old habits which might interfere in new patterns.
The Centre is such an ideal place for the retired people, that there
are people who even stay with us for more than two years. You will
enjoy the security and ambience at the centre. Together with some
lessons you have a perfect setting for your retired life. Annie
Chartrain, 56yrs, has been staying with us for 3 years now learning
Painting. Margaret Schoenberg, 77 years, stayed for 15 months learning
languages, and still writes to us her wish to come back. Other than
serious students, it is the retired people who stay in the centre
for longer periods. Like them, many have experienced the fresh slice
of life at the centre. |
|
02 |
Will I be the only foreign student or, on the contrary, will I find myself in an 'enclosed cell' of foreigners in a holiday atmosphere? |
Neither!
The centre aims to maintain a traditional atmosphere where respect
for the teachers and one's own studies naturally evolves. Yet the
foreign visitor will not feel as if lost in an alien culture. You
might find enough foreign students around and the staff at the centre
as well as most of the village people have been familiar with westerners
for many years and enjoy helping them to feel at home. As for the
presence of other foreigners, it is usually a joyful occasion of
sharing, around the dining table. Visitors enjoy sharing their travel
stories and learning experiences. |
|
03 |
In which language is the teaching conveyed? |
Even
though the native language is Malayalam (language of Kerala), most of the
teachers speak enough English to convey their teaching. When needed
the staff members can also translate and help with explanations.
Many visitors manage, even though they speak only French or Spanish. However, for the learning of Ayurveda and other languages, it is important that you speak English. |
|
04 |
What can we learn in a short visit? |
Even
in a short visit you can be exposed into many aspects of the culture.
You may achieve a few dance steps or take away a piece of small
wood carving, but at the very least you may capture the specific
quality of the art you are studying. Experience the grace in a movement,
have a dialogue with wood, discover the inner vibration of a new
sound, acquaint with an Indian mythological theme in pencil sketches
or become aware of the relationship between the hand, the eyes and
an emotion. From time to time, students are able to stay for 4 or 6 months or several years and dive deeply into an art form. But there is some, who stay for short periods. A month is advisable but a week can be fulfilling and fascinating (and can always be extended). However, note that you really learn a subject only when you stay for a long period. |
|
05 |
Can I learn more than two subject with extra payment? |
According
to the system, you learn 4 subjects actually, two subjects of your
choice and the common sessions of Yoga and Martial Art. You may
note that the lessons on the two art forms happen only in two or
three separate sessions and plus the Yoga and Martial art will make
your day almost full. You of course also need some time for your
own activities, for a little shopping, or going to the internet,
riding around the village or even to practice what you have learned,
etc… A third subject would make your days really hectic. If you are adamant on this, what we would suggest is, you arrive and start your lessons in the normal way. If you feel you can manage another subject, then you may go for it on an extra payment, which can be decided then. A better option is to stick on to the system of two subjects a day. But you can change your second subject with another on alternate days, or on alternate weeks. Following this pattern, you can even learn more than 3 subjects. Often we have people who want a taste of everything and they follow this. It is preferable to keep your main subject constant for better results. |
|
06 |
Should I have some study material or What should we bring?s? |
You do not have to bring any study materials other than a notebook and pen. For subjects where materials are required,for eg: Carving, Painting etc. we do have them in the class.(Please do not think that we have specific text books or work books for each subject and we will give you the same - We do not follow any such system). A small tape recorder or walk man with recording facility would be very
useful for students of music and dances. For your stay, a torchlight, An alarm clock, An Umbrella , A pair of sandals etc.. would be useful. And do not forget to have your personal medical kit, for a silly fever, head ache, cold, stomache upset etc. |
|
07 |
Will I get a Certificate? |
| Yes,
We will give you a merit certificate which classifies your learning
as follows; One - three weeks ….Acquaintance courses One - three months… Initiation courses Four months onwards..Intense courses |
|
08 |
Is the centre's courses valid for credit in Western universities? |
We
teach foreign students since 1977. The Centre is declared as a Cultural
Educational Institution by Govt. of Kerala and we are the only institution
in Kerala to have this recognition, at present. This fact is mentioned
in our certificate and we have had many students who are send directly by the universities from all over the world. Many students from Denmark,
UK, France and USA even get reimbursement of the fees they pay in
the centre from their universities. But note that we follow a traditional system of learning than a University style and hence have not applied for any recognitions or affiliations of any university/boards. But if you will have a chance to demonstrate or speak
about what you have learned in the centre, that would prove the worth of our certificates. |
|
09 |
Will I have a chance to perform what I learn? |
| Students
who learn arts like Kathakali, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam, Karnatic
Vocal Music and percussions hold a good chance to make an "Arangetram"
- the first auspicious performance of your art. With a minimum stay of 4 - 6 months and depending on your talent and hard work you might learn enough to make your first performance. Students attending the intense courses of Kathakali and Yoga also hold good chances of making a demonstration or performance. |
|
10 |
Can we bring our children? |
Of
course, you can! Children are very welcome. They adapt easily and
quickly to the tropical climate and we love them. From five years
old on, children show an interest in activities such as wood carving,
Painting, Mudras, Music, Martial art, percussions etc. |
|
11 |
Which clothes are most suitable? |
For
men, long trousers and cotton shirts are best. The loose fitting
white 'Pyjamas' worn traditionally by North Indians are cool and
comfortable for westerners. Some dare to try the "dothi", with the
help of the staff and find it very comfortable later. Ladies will
feel most at ease in long dresses and skirts or wearing the Indian
ladies Pyjamas called "Churidars" or "Salwar Kameez". For the daring
, try out the beautiful Sari. The attempt by westerners to wear
Indian dress is always appreciated by Indians as a sign of openness
and respect for their culture. Aranmula being a village, we would always suggest that you avoid short and transparent dress. Once you are here, you will find how clean the villagers are and will realise that you don't want to wear soiled or ugly dresses. |
|
12 |
How is the night life? |
| Please
do not expect any kind of night life in Kerala. Even in the centre
we would request you to be back in your homes latest by 10 in the
night. Women walking outside, late in the night, being unusual may
not be secure and we request our students not to do so. Again, in the centre, though we are open to your mingling with the villagers, we would prevent any sort of flirting by our guests with the villagers. You must always create a boundary line for your activities outside the centre, because of the very sensitive social setup. That does not mean that you cannot have good relations with villagers. You will make many friends in the village, depending on your attitude. Many students are even invited for special occassions in families around the centre. |
|
13 |
Can we see some festivals or night performances of Kathakali? |
While
you are in the centre the staff and teachers will always inform
you about some special performances or festivals happening in the
nearby temples or villages. Often the guests go for a whole night
Kathakali performance in the nearby temples. The Staff will assist
you for this. |
|
14 |
What about insurance or medical help? |
Good
medical facilities are available close-by. Students are advised
to obtain appropriate insurance cover from their respective countries
for medical expenses, hospitalisation and repatriation if needed.
In the event of a student falling ill, we will provide the student
with necessary help and take care about your medical assistance, but the student has
to meet the expenses incurred. We do not offer any kind of insurance facilities. |
|
15 |
Which is the easiest way to change money? |
You can change Travellers cheques and dollar/euro cash in the banks in and around
Aranmula. There are ATM counters in Chengannur (11Km) and Kozhecherry
(2Km) towns, where you can withdraw money from your credit card.
|
|
16 |
How should I pay? |
You
need to pay us an advance of 100USD/100Euros for the confirmation
of your registration. This can be done by drawing a cheque in favour
of VIJNANA KALA VEDI and sending the same to us by registered post,
only after being asked by us to do so. You can also do this by Western
Union Money Transfer system.Please do not do a bank transfer, since
the money may not reach us even after months. The balance money has to be paid, during your stay, only by CASH - either in Indian rupees or US Dollars or Euros or Pounds (we would appreciate that you pay us by Indian Rupees Cash itself). WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT TRAVELLER'S CHEQUES or CREDIT CARDS OR EVEN PAYMENTS BY CHEQUES (cheques or money orders are accepted only for the initial advance payment). If you are paying by Indian Rupees, you need to produce your exchange certificate/the receipt from ATM's or credit card slips. We will just make a copy of it and will return it back to you. |
|
17 |
I am in India now. I cannot send a cheque.How can I register? |
Please
call/email to confirm your dates. Then you can take a Demand Draft
(a DD), drawn in favour of VIJNANA KALA VEDI, payable at CHENGANNUR,
for the equivalent amount of 100dollars, from any bank. For this
approach any bank, fill up a simple form and pay the amount. You
should get the DD in about 20 minutes, and then send it to us by
registered post. |
|
18 |
Do I need a visa, a tourist/student visa.How can I get a Student Visa or is it all right with a Tourist Visa? |
You will definitely need a Visa for India.We advice a Students visa for only those who stay for more than 3 months.
Note that As per Indian rules a person holding Tourist Visa is not supposed to
learn or work in India. For short term students, still tourist visa
is quite enough, since we put it across only as workshops on art
forms. For long term students, staying for more than 3 months, we strongly suggest that you
take a Student Visa. Once you register in the centre, we can send
you a certificate stating that you will be learning in the centre
for a particular period of time. You can produce this certificate
when you apply for visa. |
|
19 |
When should I take a Residential Permit? and how to do that? Do I have any benefits with it? |
As
per Indian rules, any foreigner holding an entry or students visa
valid for more than 6 months(180 days) should apply for the Residential
permit within 14 days of their arrival in India. Once you are in
the centre, we will guide you through the procedures. You just need
to keep 4 copies of your recent passport size photographs with you. Even if you hold only a students visa or entry visa for 6 months, you can apply for a residential permit. This is advisable if you have plans for extending your stay. Since Vijnana Kala Vedi will remain as your sponsor (being responsible for your deeds), it will not be difficult for you to obtain the Residential permit. Having a Residentail permit will help you avail Indian rupee fairs for domestic flights (which are much cheaper) and is also good, if you wish to extend your stay. However, you need to stick to our address for most of your stay in India. You cannot be away from the centre for more than 7-8 weeks in a stretch. Also when you leave India, you have to submit your residential permit and get an exit permit. You have to apply for a residential permit within 14 days of your arrival in India. Hence it is very important that when you arrive in India, you travel directly to the centre and you must leave the centre only a couple of days before your departure flight from India. If you plan for some travel outside the centre, you will have to accordinlgy plan your trips, in between your stay and let us know, during the registration procedure itself, your absence for the travelling period. |
|
20 |
Is it better to sightsee before or after our stay at the centre? |
| Either has an advantage. You will enjoy the care and security of the stay after the tiresome travels. If you plan to travel after, you will be able to appreciate better the great works of art which you may encounter later. You will also have a basic idea about the life style of people which will be helpful. Again, the staff will also help you in organising your travel. | |
21 |
Is the Centre open all year round? |
Yes,
except for 10 days during the Onam festival which according to the
lunar calendar falls in August/September. The centre normally reopens on
the day of the Aranmula snake boat festival, a few days after the
Onam. However, the day of closing and opening are different for each year and do recheck with us |
|