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Saddle up and gallop to your heart content

Gallop Cochin, the first horse riding academy in Kerala gives a great opportunity to learn not just about riding but also on stabling, saddling and grooming horses.

Published

11 years ago

March 24, 2014

FWDmedia

Horse riding for Malayalis in Kerala had been limited to their few hours of scheduled gallop at the Madras Race Course or at the one in Bangalore until 2012.Today many of the equine lovers in Kerala satiate their predilection for it at the ‘Gallop Cochin’, a unique academy ideally positioned at a 2 acre fenced property located at Thuthiyoor in Kakkanad. Ahead of holding back the reins for a ride, let me catch up with Salu George, the prominent Malayalam film art director cum galloping aficionado; the man behind “Gallop”, Cochin’s First Horse Riding Academy.

Your fascination for galloping began….
Almost two decades back, I was in Chennai spending most of my time assisting film directors. After shoots, whenever possible I used to hang-out with friends. And John, a jockey was one of them. All the while I heard him talk on horse riding and watched him riding at races. And as infectious as it can get, I got interested. One day as John was pampering his favourite English bred horse, I asked if he could help me in riding a horse. Willingly he took me. Though my hands went cold for a minute, having John beside me was comforting. That was my first ride. From then on I visited John more often, rode horses and began to think of owning one.

Carving up of thoughts for the dawning of Gallop Cochin?
I have contacts who are either jockeys or equine lovers from whom I learnt the nitty-gritty of horse riding. And once I was sure about my passion and had fairly gained knowledge more about horses, I went to Ooty and got ‘Karna’ my first pet horse. That was 7 years back. Gradually with the realization of making it bigger, I slated for ‘Gallop Cochin’.

Initially how tough was it to domesticate a horse in your backyard?
I got Karna from Ooty seven years back. His majestic appearance in ‘Pazhashiraja’ moved me to own him. As I didn’t have a spacious stable then, I got him home and managed to cramp his up-bringing in a small plot next to my house. Probably he understood my limitations, so having him home was never a concern. At home he had absolute liberty to rove around. Often we had eyes peeping over our house-walls watching Karna being fed at home.

Horses you have at your stable now….
There are 12 of them. Karna was followed by Alexander and David from Mysore, Arjun and Bheeman from Jaipur, Tyson, Jack….. and the last ones are Pooja, a pony and her foal Immanuel.

The class of crowd who visits Gallop….
Celebs, businessmen, IT professionals

How well has the action been catching up over the last two years?
All is well except during monsoons. So far we have had 19 students in all who left Gallop Cochin as trained riders apart from our regular visitors. As enquiries kept coming in, we introduced training packages.

Could you pass on information about joining the academy?
We’ve a 3 months course that offers 30 classes for Rs.35, 000. And for those who wish to learn it in a short span; a 10 day vacation course with daily classes from 6.30 to 9.30 am and 4.00 to 7.30 pm for Rs.10, 000 and a five day course with food and accommodation providing 2 riding hours in the morning and evening for a package of Rs.15,000.

Are women equally drawn to it?
Yes, they are. We have a couple of North Indian women who comes to ride. Foreigners do come here once in a while as part of their ‘God’s own country’ visit. Undeniably it’s sad that women of Kerala haven’t yet found a fancy for riding.

Apart from being cast in movies, what are the other engagements of the inmates?
For North Indian weddings, we are approached for baarat horses or horses for drawing wedding carriages.

Is anyone in your stable an upcoming celebrity?
Recently three of them had been to Vagamon for a Kannada film shoot.

What about their feeding and health care?
We feed them daily with horse gram, barley, barley grass which we get in bundles from Tamil Nadu and with carrots and jaggery once a week. Daily we brush them (malish), give them an hour’s massage, ride each one of them for an hour and bathe them once a week. At night they are made to rest on fodder beds. That serves them as food at night and also protects them from getting bruised.

Are they bred here?
We are not into breeding yet. But I cannot say that starting a breeding farm is not there on my mind. Eventually I intend to. It’s a promising business.

Does that mean Gallop is not a profit making initiative?
Absolutely not….there is no profit and I don’t expect it from here. The cost of maintaining horses for riding can only make a hole in your pocket.

Choosing a horse….
It’s their dimples that are closely watched. More dimples, the better. Horses with dimples on their forehead, lower abdomen and chest are considered to be hale and hearty horses. A horse’s hooves are also given utmost importance while choosing one.

Many love to ride a horse but trepidation stops them from hopping onto one. How can they overcome riding jitters?
Try mounting onto it. Take 2 rounds along with the horse trainer, for the third round you will ride it pretty decently, without seeking the help of a trainer. Just in case you feel it’s turning dangerous, dismount by holding the reins in your left hand up along the neck of the horse and with the left rein slightly shorter. Take your right foot out of the stirrup. While holding the horse’s wither, swing your right leg over the horse’s rump keeping it from pumping the horse’s rump. Remove left foot and spring down. Make sure you bend your knees and then stand up again. Trust me if you have a zeal for horse riding, you’ll love it.

All the while as we were talking I have been noticing a dog following us. Is he a part of Gallop?
He is Gabbar, an Indian Sight hound, the watchdog at the stable. He is very friendly but at times too naughty to chase the horses around the grazing fields. Soon you can watch him and his mother Koothara in action for the film ‘Koothara’ starring Mohanlal

Quickies

Your first fall….
It was in Ooty. Me and my friend, we were on a race. My horse skid and I fell off to a distance. Fortunately I had no bandages.

As an art director, how are things going at your end?
Mohanlal starrer ‘Koothara’, Suresh Gopi’s ‘Dolphin Bar’ and a Johnny Anthony movie are my upcoming projects. For ‘Dolphin Bar’ I have done an extensive work on the bar sets that came close to Rs.1 crore.

A memorable experience at the Gallop Cochin….
Last year’s Christmas cake cutting at the Gallop with a few celebrities, my family along with my pets- Persian cats, pug, parrot, dachshund and 12 horses.

Celebs who ride at Gallop…..
Mythili, Chackochen, Prithviraj, Indrajith, Major Ravi, Kailash.

We’ve dog breeders business thriving in Kerala. Can it be the same with horse breeding?
Why not? At the nearest, there is a horse breeding farm at Pollachi. They’re doing really well.

Do Keralites see galloping as a luxury or as a fun activity?
They perceive it as a luxury and also follow it as a fitness regime. For robustness there is nothing that can beat an hour-long horse riding.

Movies, horses and…..
Vintage car collection that has Morris-51 model, Austin 35, Willys…..

To know More visit : www.gallopcochin.com

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Netflix’s Cleopatra: A Controversial Provocation Egypt Could Do Without

Published

2 years ago

May 21, 2023

Keerthi Thilakan

In the realm of streaming content, Netflix’s Cleopatra has recently grabbed attention, trending on most-watched charts amidst a contrived controversy over the casting of a Black actress in the iconic titular role. Produced by Jada Pinkett-Smith, this installment is the second in her ‘African Queens’ series, which has stirred debates surrounding representation and historical accuracy. However, the current state of Egypt, grappling with numerous challenges, suggests that this provocative series is the last thing the nation needs.

The portrayal of Cleopatra has always been intertwined with fascination and debate, particularly centered around her appearance rather than her race, in historical accounts. The Hollywood industry, historically dominated by white executives, had marginalized Black talent, deeming them unmarketable and unworthy of significant roles. The industry’s limited embrace of Black stories in the past was primarily driven by profit rather than genuine progressivism.

In the case of Netflix’s Queen Cleopatra, the casting of a Black performer in the lead role was destined to ignite controversy, especially among Egyptians increasingly hostile towards Afrocentrism. However, the preceding installment of the ‘African Queens’ series, Njinga, did not generate significant interest or impact, lacking the depth to stimulate intellectual discourse.

Director Tina Gharavi’s previous works, while sincere in their storytelling, did not display visionary filmmaking challenging the conventional Anglophone documentary style. Despite this, Netflix and Pinkett-Smith effectively employed marketing tactics, leveraging the race card to generate buzz around Cleopatra, ultimately leading to its elevated position in the charts.

Disappointingly, Queen Cleopatra fails to offer any fresh insights into the Egyptian icon. The four episodes follow a predictable and formulaic narrative structure, focusing on Cleopatra’s rise and fall without delving into her race. The series, featuring medium close-up interviews with academics predominantly from American and British institutions, coupled with lackluster dramatizations, fails to engage viewers or provide an aesthetically distinct perspective.

The show’s emphasis on Cleopatra’s physical beauty and sensationalized elements aligns with Netflix’s faux-liberal gender and sexual politics, which are often presented simplistically and lacking depth. While the representation of minority groups in film and TV is an important concern, solely focusing on representation can overshadow other vital aspects, such as artistry, film history, and the political use of aesthetics.

Critics and viewers fixated on the racial depiction of Cleopatra, generating substantial media coverage and overlooking the artistic value and storytelling approaches employed in the series. Amidst the heightened racial discourse, the nuances of Egypt’s complex relationship with blackness have been lost. Egypt’s struggle with economic crises, political challenges, and external influences leaves the nation feeling helpless and disheartened.

In its current state of turmoil, Egypt seeks a savior and is grappling with collective defeat, making the Netflix provocation an unwelcome addition. The nation, deprived of agency and self-determination, holds onto its historical heritage, which has been plundered by the West for centuries. In such circumstances, a reframing of their own history, even in the form of a fictional series, elicits a strong reaction from a nation grappling with numerous challenges.

Ultimately, while the casting controversy surrounding Netflix’s Cleopatra has sparked discussions on representation and historical accuracy, Egypt’s broken state and desperate need for stability and self-determination make this provocative series an unnecessary and untimely distraction.

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Unleashing the Power: Scorpio Lunar Eclipse on May 5th Signals Major Transformation Ahead

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2 years ago

May 5, 2023

Keerthi Thilakan

The cosmos are gearing up for a powerful event: the May 5th lunar eclipse in Scorpio. This celestial spectacle promises to be a transformative experience that will shake us to the core. As the full moon aligns with the sun and the Earth casts its shadow, Scorpio’s dark and intense energy will be unleashed, inviting us to confront our deepest fears and desires.

Scorpio, known for its enigmatic nature and passionate intensity, is the zodiac’s most enigmatic and mysterious sign. It’s associated with death, rebirth, and transformation, making this lunar eclipse an auspicious time for letting go of old patterns and embracing a new, more authentic way of being. The Scorpio energy is all about digging deep into the shadows, exploring our subconscious minds, and facing the truth no matter how uncomfortable it may be.

During this lunar eclipse, we can expect intense emotions to surface, bringing to light buried feelings and hidden desires. Scorpio’s energy is not one to shy away from the taboo or the uncomfortable, and neither should we. It’s time to confront the parts of ourselves that we’ve been keeping hidden, and to embrace our true selves.

As we navigate this intense energy, it’s important to remember to practice self-care and self-love. Scorpio’s energy can be overwhelming, so be sure to take breaks and ground yourself when needed. The lunar eclipse is an opportunity for growth and transformation, but it’s up to us to take the necessary steps to harness this energy and make the most of this powerful celestial event.

In conclusion, the May 5th lunar eclipse in Scorpio is a powerful and transformative event that promises to shake us to our core. It’s an opportunity to face our fears, embrace our desires, and transform ourselves from the inside out. So, get ready to unleash your inner Scorpio and embrace the intensity of this celestial event.

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8 Best Podcasts of 2020

Published

4 years ago

November 27, 2020

Abhirami Chandran

To the people who doesn’t know what a podcast is- it’s pretty much like a radio show and is released in a streamable or downloadable format through various sites. You can access to millions of podcasts in many genres from anywhere you have internet access.

Here’s a list of podcasts for you to listen:

The Musafir Stories – India Travel Podcast

The Musafir Stories is a wonderful online podcast that talks about iconic and, in fact, all sorts of travel destinations. The podcast series is hosted by Saif Omar and Faiza Khan who talk to fellow travellers about their various adventures across India.
Available on iTunes, Google podcasts, JioSaavn, and Spotify.

https://themusafirstories.com/

Second Life

This online podcast is hosted by Hillary Kerr from the well-known fashion publication Who What Where and it chronicles the career changes of its many guests. It spotlights successful women who’ve made major career changes.

You can listen to her episodes on Apple podcast, Spotify, and Podbean.

https://www.secondlifepod.com/

In The Dark

In The Dark’s content is about uncovering the world’s most iconic crime cases. In short, it’s an investigative journalism podcast, hosted and narrated by Madeleine Baran.

You can listen to it on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, and Podbean.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/american-public-media/in-the-dark-apm

The Passion People Podcast

The Passion People Podcast is a series of conversations about following a passion and how to manifest it. There are several conversations with experts, entrepreneurs, and icons that inspire the listeners, and the show is hosted by Naga Subramanya.

You can find the podcast on Stitcher, Apple Podcast, and JioSaavn.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/naga-subramanya-b-b/the-passion-people-podcast

GayBCD

GayBCD is an online podcast that seeks to understand what it means to be queer in today’s time. It’s hosted by Sunetro Lahiri and Farhad Karkaria and is created by IVM Podcasts. You can expect to find funny and comforting discussions about coming out and how a sense of humour, wisdom, and parlance play such an important role in understanding yourself better as a person.

This podcast series is easily available on YouTube, Stitcher, JioSaavn, and Apple Podcast.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/indus-vox/gaybcd

Harry Potter at Home

Harry Potter At Home is a new series by the Wizarding World that has famous names from entertainment, music, and sports reading chapters from Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone, and the magic is still alive. They currently have the first two chapters out – the first by Daniel Radcliffe and the second by Noma Dumezweni.

You can listen to the series on Spotify and a video version is available on Wizarding World.

https://open.spotify.com/show/2JUljwaD9fNSeq8Vy3UAUp

Maed in India

Maed in India prides itself on being India’s first indie music podcast and features conversations with, well, independent musicians from India and abroad. From unreleased music to unknown music stories, they have it all. It’s great for discovering new music, too.

You can listen to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, JioSaavn, Podbean, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.

https://maedinindia.fanlink.to/podcast

The Corner Flag

Indian fans of the European and Worldwide football can rejoice in this chat show about sports with comedian Amogh Ranadive. If you like hearing commentary on the latest Premiere league (or other) antics with an Indian twist this might just be the Indian chat show for you.