more-in As relief collection for disaster-hit areas gathers pace, cultural organisations too are chipping in with aid. Bharat Bhavan, the State government’s cultural exchange centre, has joined hands with cultural organisations such as the G. Devarajan Master Memorial Trust, Vayalar Ramavarma Samskarika Vedi, Prem Nazir Suhruth Samithi, and the Sangeetha Bharati to provide relief material to the needy. Pramod Payyannur, secretary, Bharat Bhavan, said the idea was that those with cultural leanings might do their bit to collect relief material and bring it to the Bhavan. Youngsters associated with cultural activities were joining in. Bread and vegetables such as onion that were likely to spoil soon had been handed over to the city Corporation’s collection centre. Rest of the material was being listed, sorted, packed. The material would be despatched to Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha on Wednesday morning in a bus provided free by the University of Kerala. “We will be in touch with the MLAs there to ensure that the material reaches the camps,” he said. Till Aug 30 The plan was to keep the collection centre open till August 30, after which a second consignment of material would be sent. Besides Bharat Bhavan staff, college students, art students, and associations of other States who associate with the Bhavan had been contributing and helping in packing relief material, he said. Bharat Bhavan also plans a travelling theatre for disaster-hit districts. Popular artistes will present magic, dance, street circus, and music centred around the themes of survival, collective spirit, and endurance. A vehicle with lighting and sound will tour the districts. An organising committee with involvement of cultural organisations in the districts would be formed to raise funds which would then be handed over to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund, Mr. Payyannur said. Rajesh, programme coodinator at the Bhavan, said residents’ associations, schools, and others were also dropping off material. People were also advised from time to time about the material needed, he said.

Stay updated with all the Latest Thiruvananthapuram headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.