The April month concert was performed by the young, multi-talented and upcoming vocalist Kum. Meenakshi S Varma from Ernakulam, Kerala. Violin Vidwan Sri Ernakulam Satheesh Varma was accompanied on violin, and the young, multi-talented and upcoming Mridangam artist Sri Jayanth Rama Varma was accompanied on Mridangam.

Sangeetha Acharyan, Tripunithura Aasthana Vidwan Prof. Kumara Kerala Varma, was the Special Guest for the function and delivered felicitation speech. Sri Kumara Kerala Varma had pointed out that in Carnatic music, Sruthi is considered as the mother and Laya as father whenever musicians render Keerthanam, Geetham or Varnam with a combination of Sruthi, Swara, Raga and Thala. Prof. Kumara Kerala Varma appreciated the trust for their all efforts and bringing the unique platform for Carnatic music globally, which will support musicians and artists located across the globe. He also blessed Kum. Meenakshi S. V. Varma and the accompaniments of the April month concert.

From the International Chamber, PK Koyickal Trust, Sri Raj Mohan Varma, the Vice-Chairman, has delivered the Welcome Speech; Sri Edappally Jaimohan, the Department Head of Violin, has delivered the Keynote Speech, Sri. Sajith Kumar Varma, the International Coordinator, has delivered Vote of thanks; and Ms Preethi Gopalakrishnan coordinated and compered the entire function and the April month concert.

The monthly concerts are focused to promote and propagate Carnatic Music along with Music Veterans, promoting Talented, upcoming and amateur Musicians and Artists Internationally. Each monthly programme will be telecasted through various Media and Channels of India and abroad. The Recorded Link of the concert also will be circulated internationally Including various Music Colleges, Music Academies, Department Authorities, Music Institutes, Sangeetha Sabhas, Music Trusts,  Fine Arts Societies & Reputed Music Organizations and Music Teachers in India and Internationally.  PK Koyickal Trust International Chamber will be rewarded and recognized each Artists with Participating Certificates.

The concerts are designed in alternative months to provide opportunities to the Artists to participate from India and abroad. The International Monthly Concerts will be organizing on EVERY 2^nd FRIDAYS, the special day of Goddesses Durga Devvi, Lakshmi Devi and Saraswathy Devi. www.pkkoyickaltrust.com

www.pkkoyickaltrust.com

The post The April month of Sruthi Mathaa.. Laya Pitha, the monthly Carnatic music concert series of the International Chamber, Parakkadathu Koyickal Trust, Tripunithura, Kerala, has been hosted from Ernakulam, KERALA. On vocals, Kum. Meenakshi S. Varma performed, and on violin, Violin Vidwan Sri Ernakulam Satheesh Varma and on Mridangam Sri Jayanth Rama Varma have been accompanied on 17-04-2026 from Ernakulam, Kerala. appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

In March, the monthly concert was performed by Sangeetha Vidushi Ms. hosted from Ohio, USA. the young and talented Violinist Ms. Medha Lalyit Iyer was accompanied on Violin and the Mridangam Maestro Sri. Lalit Subramanian was accompanied on Mridangam

From the International Chamber, Parakkadathu Koyickal Trust, Smt. Priya Varma has delivered the welcome address; Sri. KP Raj Mohan Varma, the vice chairman, has delivered the keynote address; Tripunithura Aasthana Vidwan Dr. Jayaprakasha Sharma, head of the Department of Arts & Literature, has delivered the felicitation speech; and Sri. PK Sajith Kumar Varma, the international coordinator, has delivered the vote of thanks.

These monthly concerts are focused to promote and propagate Carnatic Music along with Music Veterans, promoting Talented, upcoming and amateur Musicians and Artists Internationally. Each monthly programme will be telecasted through various Media and Channels of India and abroad. The Recorded Link of the concert also will be circulated internationally Including various Music Colleges, Music Academies, Department Authorities, Music Institutes, Sangeetha Sabhas, Music Trusts,  Fine Arts Societies & Reputed Music Organizations and Music Teachers in India and Internationally.  PK Koyickal Trust International Chamber will be rewarded and recognized each Artists with Participating Certificates.

The concerts are designed in alternative months to provide opportunities to the Artists to participate from India and abroad. The International Monthly Concerts will be organizing on EVERY 2^nd FRIDAYS, the special day of Goddesses Durga Devvi, Lakshmi Devi and Saraswathy Devi. www.pkkoyickaltrust.com

www.pkkoyickaltrust.com

The post The first international concert from abroad in 2026 and the 2nd consecutive year of the monthly Carnatic Music concert series of the International Chamber, Parakkadathu Koyickal Trust, Tripunithura, Kerala, have been hosted from OHIO, U.S.A. Vocal Sangeetha Vidushi Ms. Dhivya Senthil Murugan, Violinist Ms. Medha Lalyt Iyer, and Mridangam Vidwan Sri Lalit Subramanian have accompanied on 13-02-2026 from OHIO, USA. appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

British citizens have been asked to keep away from areas within 10km of the India-Pakistan border, with the Wagah-Attari border closed. Approaching unmarked border sections in Gujarat and Rajasthan has also been highlighted as potentially dangerous.
The move made by FCDO was triggered in response to the deadly terror attack on tourists visiting the hill station, often nicknamed the Switzerland of India, resulting in the death of 26 civilians.

The advisory asked its citizens to stay away from the majority of Jammu and Kashmir, encompassing popular tourist spots like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, the city of Srinagar, and the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.

“Exceptions are made for travel by air to and from the city of Jammu, within the city of Jammu, and within the Union Territory of Ladakh,” it said.
For Manipur, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel, including the capital, Imphal. The advisory also details regional risks in other parts of India, including other North-Eastern states and specific rural and forested districts.

The FCDO recommends that British nationals review its overall travel advice and specific safety and security guidance for India in addition to these regional warnings. Travellers are urged to stay vigilant, monitor local media, and follow the advice of local authorities and their travel companies, it said in a statement.

Britain has recently revised its advice for citizens travelling to the United States to include a warning that anyone breaking its entry rules could face arrest or detention.

The post UK issues India travel alert after Pahalgam attacks; Here’s what travellers must know appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

International fame Artist for Mridangam and Ghatam, Tripunithura Aasthana Vidwan Sri Tripunithura N Radhakrisnan has inaugurated International Chamber’s Monthly concerts online on 26^th March, 2025.      Sri. Tripunithura N Radhakrishnan is also the Hon. Chief Advisory Board Member of PK Koyickal Trust International Chamber.

International Chamber for Indian Music & Culture is an international initiative of Parakkadathu Koyickal Trust (PK Koyickal Trust), Tripunithura, Kerala and which is affiliated with Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, the Govt. of Kerala has launched first of its kind Carnatic Music Online Monthly Concerts for NRIs and Domestic Musicians and Artists.
“PK Koyickal Trust international Chember’s platform will inspire and empower NRI Carnatic Musicians and this will be the best opportunity for talented youngster generation NRI music students to showcase their talents. This platform is a unique for all musicians and accompanying artists to expose their knowledge and talents globally”. Said Sri. Tripunithura N Radhakrishnan.

Nadam , Swaram, Shruthi, Ragam, Thalam…. – In Carnatic music SRUTHI or PITCH is considered as the MOTHER and LAYAM or RHYTHAM from THAALAM is considered as the FATHER of each Geetham, Varnam and Keerthanas. “Sruthi MAATHA Laya PITHAA”.. The International Chamber will be dedicated INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER MONTHLY ONLINE CARNATIC MUSIC CONCERT to all esteemed MOTHER’S in the name of Goddesses Durga Devi, Lakshmi Devi and Saraswathy Devi. Minimum of 6 concerts will be organized from India and 6 concerts from Internationally.

The International Chamber will be organizing Monthly Concerts on EVERY 2nd FRIDAYS and this is the yet another International Initiative of Monthly International Concerts from Tripunithura, The Royal City of Kerala.

These monthly concerts are focused to promote and propagate Carnatic Music along with Talented, upcoming and amateur Musicians and Artists Internationally. Each monthly programme will be telecasted through PK Koyickal Trust, various Media and Channels of India and abroad as well. PK Koyickal Trust International Chamber will conduct Carnatic Music Concerts monthly by providing opportunities for NRI Musicians and Artists in alternative months and will provide Domestic Musicians and Artists subsequently to perform in this first of its kind international platform. Currently International Chamber is connected musicians and artists from 12 Countries and planning to provide more opportunities to them through these monthly programmes”. Said Sri P K Sajith Kumar Varma, International Coordinator of PK Koyickal Trust International Chamber.

India’s Senior most Violin Vidwan, Tripunithura Aasthana Vidwan Sri. Nedumangad Sivanandan, the Hon. Chief Advisory Board Member blessed the function by delivering a detailed Keynote Address. He expressed his wishes and appreciated all efforts for starting this unique programme which will bring all Global Carnatic Musicians and Artists under one roof.

Sri. Rajmohan Varma, the Hon. Vice-Chairman of PK Koyickal Trust International Chamber has delivered Welcome Address in the Inaugural Function. Sri. M V Sunil, President of Sree Poornathrayeesa Sangeetha Sabha and Sri. P Sukumaran, Chief Editor and Publisher of The Gulf Indians were delivered Falicitation Speeches. Sri. P K Sajith Kumar Varma has delivered Vote of Thanks in the presence of Chairperson of the Trust, Smt. P K Ushadevi, Smt. P K Sreedevi Varma, President, Sri. P K Sanjay Varma, General Convener and all Management Team Members of PK Koyickal Trust International Chamber.

The inaugural Monthly Concert of the International Chamber was VIOLIN DUET and performed by Violin Vidwan Sri. Edappally Jaimohan and Violin Vidwan Sri. Ernakulam Satish Varma. Accompanied on Mridangam by Vidwan Sri. Kottayam Manoj Kumar and on Ghatom Sri. Elamakkara Balachandran.

The post FIRST OF ITS KIND CARNATIC MUSIC ONLINE MONTHLY CONCERTS INAUGURATED FOR NRIs AND DOMESTIC MUSICIANS AND ARTISTS appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

In a circular issued to government entities, the Civil Service Bureau confirmed that the Civil Service Council has endorsed the continued provision of all types of leave—such as annual, maternity, and sick leave—regardless of the employee’s citizenship status. The decision, the Bureau said, is designed to safeguard job security and preserve the rights of affected public sector employees.

The approval also guarantees the uninterrupted payment of basic salaries, periodic bonuses, social and children’s bonuses, cost-of-living allowances, financial support, incentive and special bonuses, job level allowances, and work nature bonuses.

In addition, affected employees will remain eligible for annual excellence bonuses, compensation for extra tasks, and incentives for participating in committees and work teams, provided they meet the established criteria.

The Bureau clarified that women in this category will continue to benefit from reduced working hours as stipulated by law and retain any personal bonuses granted to them under prior decisions.
Significantly, the decision also ensures that those who received study leave or scholarships before the revocation of citizenship will continue to enjoy all associated academic benefits for the duration of their programs. They will also remain eligible for internal and external training courses under their respective institution’s development plans.

While the measures provide broad job-related protections, the Civil Service Council noted that supervisory positions, official foreign assignments, and associated allowances will remain exclusive to Kuwaiti nationals. Transfers, secondments, and loans will continue to be regulated by relevant administrative guidelines.

The Bureau also confirmed that employees whose citizenship was revoked under Article (8) will continue to receive financial adjustments for salary grade promotions, job level upgrades, and performance-related increases, subject to submission of formal requests by their respective employers. These increments will be added to the comprehensive remuneration outlined in their employment contracts.
In addition to the above, affected individuals will still be entitled to a wide range of allowances, including shift, night, food, hazard, infection, pollution, noise, regional hardship, distance, and road allowances, as well as screen and training incentives and housing support—provided they meet the conditions set forth in existing regulations.

The post Kuwait approves full employment entitlements for female government workers stripped of citizenship appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

While details about his condition remain limited, doctors are closely monitoring his health, and there are speculations that he might undergo an angiogram. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has assured fans that Rahman is in stable condition and is expected to recover soon.
The news of his hospitalization has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with fans and colleagues wishing him a speedy recovery. Rahman, 57, remains one of the most influential musicians in Indian cinema, with a career spanning over three decades.

According to a report on NDTV, he’s also being treated for dehydration.

Personal and professional life
Rahman has been in the spotlight recently not just for his musical contributions but also for personal reasons. In November 2024, he and his ex-wife Saira Banu announced their separation after 29 years of marriage. The couple has three children – Raheema, Khatija, and Ameen.
On the work front, Rahman has had a busy year, with multiple projects across various languages. He composed music for “Kadhalikka Neramillai” and the upcoming “Chhaava”. He is also involved in Mani Ratnam’s “Thug Life”, starring Kamal Haasan, slated for release on June 10. Other projects in the pipeline include “Lahore 1947,” “Tere Ishq Mein,” “Ramayana,” and “RC 16”.

Fans await further updates
As the news spreads, fans and well-wishers have flooded social media with prayers and messages of support for the composer. While no official statement has been released by his family or management, the industry is hopeful for his swift recovery.

Further updates on his health are awaited.

The post AR Rahman hospitalised in Chennai after chest pain: Reports appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

Last week, the Aramex Board of Directors was told that the deal being offered was ‘fair’ by HSBC, which was mandated to look into the nitty-gritty of the offer.

If the deal goes through, this would be one of the biggest takeovers in the UAE corporate landscape and within the Middle East’s logistics and supply chain sector.

The deal places the Aramex valuation at $1.2 billion.

Q Logistics is part of ADQ, which has been pushing for a consolidation spree across sectors.
Aramex served up upbeat financials for its 2024 performance and its share price is at Dh2.81 on the DFM. Recent days have seen fairly decent volumes in the stock, as investors weighed in on the results and the Q offer.

In their offer to Aramex shareholders, Q Logistics has appointed EFG Hermes UAE Ltd. and International Securities llc as co-lead managers alongside Emirates NBD Capital.

Once the deal is done, the other major shareholder in Aramex will be AD Ports Group.
The DFM has in recent years seen some high-visibility corporate makeovers, with Emaar Malls getting absorbed by Emaar Properties, while Dubai Parks & Resorts went through the same process under Meraas.

The post Investors in Dubai’s Aramex have until March 10 to surrender their shares appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

Under the patronage of His Excellency Mohammed bin Sulaiman Al Kindi, Governor of North Al Batinah, the ceremony saw industry leaders and officials gather to mark this significant achievement. The inaugural shipment of 900 tons of high-quality copper concentrates was exported through Sohar Port, with concentrations ranging from 18% to 22%.
Eng. Matar bin Salem Al Badi, CEO of OMDC, hailed the achievement as a testament to the company’s ability to overcome challenges and drive growth. “We are pleased to be part of the mining history in this important region, which has had a historical and archaeological presence in copper mining for three thousand years. The region was distinguished by copper mining through the Oman Mining Company, which has been a pioneer in copper mining since 1983. Today, we celebrate the export of a shipment of copper concentrates from the Aseel mine, continuing this rich history,” he said.

OMDC’s long-term vision includes the reopening of the Al Bayda mine in Liwa by 2025-2026, with reserves estimated at 2.78 million tons of copper ore. The integrated redevelopment of Al Aseel and Al Bayda mines is expected to sustain operations for four to five years in its first phase, with ongoing exploration aimed at increasing reserves.

The mining sector has seen remarkable progress in exploration and extraction, enabling Oman to assert its presence in the global copper market. Projects like the Mazoon Copper Project further solidify OMDC’s leadership and commitment to innovation and sustainability.

The post Oman ships first copper in 30 years appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

As India is celebrating its 74th year of Independence, MACTA & Voice of Calicut has released a tribute video, which is now going viral on YouTube. In the video, we can see popular singers and actors singing the national anthem of India.

But what makes this video special is the initial narration given by Superstar Suresh Gopi, who is now the reigning MP in Rajyasabha. With his magical voice and impeccable voice modulation, Suresh Gopi made this video special in all means, and fans are now appreciating the actor for his patriotism which he is practicing in real life too.

“One of the beautiful versions ever heard. Suresh Gopi’s voice is just wow,” commented Dream Catcher, a YouTube user.

The creative writing part of the video in which Suresh Gopi has rendered his voice is being written by Dr R Surendran. The words carry the national spirit, and it loudly proclaims the glory of India.

Some of the other noted celebrities who appeared in the video are Ramesh Narayanan, SarathKumar, Madhu Balakrishnan, Madhusree Narayanan, Manoj K Jayan, Anuradha Sriram, Sunil Kumar, Gayathri Ashokan, Ranjini Jose, and Usha Uthup.

Click here for the video

The post Suresh Gopi’s narration oozes patriotism to this National Anthem video appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

According to a statement released by MGM Healthcare, the condition of SPB deteriorated on the night of August 13. Hospital authorities also revealed that the singer was currently under observation by a team of experts in critical care.

“There has been a setback in the health of Thiru S P Balasubrahmanyam who had been admitted at MGM Healthcare for symptoms of COVID since 5th August 2020. In a late night development on 13th August 2020, his condition had deteriorated, and based on the advice of the expert medical team attending to him, he has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and he is on life support and his condition remains critical,” said hospital authorities in the statement.

It was last week that SPB shared the unfortunate news of coronavirus infection through his Facebook page. In a video posted on his social media page, the singer revealed that his infection is mild in nature.

On August 5, doctors had asked SPB to isolate himself in his home. However, SPB insisted to get admitted to the hospital to prevent any further complications.

The post S P Balasubrahmanyam critical, currently under life support appeared first on The Gulf Indians.