Changable lizard, Thailand

Changable lizard
Calotes versicolour
Family : Agamidae


This widespread Asian native can easily be found in parks and gardens, where it feeds on insects and other prey. Its colour ranges from brownish-buff to greyish, and in the breeding season the throat of the male becomes red and black, as in the photo at left. The species is identified by the short crest above the neck, the presence of small spines above the tympanum and by the lack of a shoulder fold. The male has swollen cheeks.

Commonly found amongst low shrubs and bushes, it will also scamper up tree trunks to avoid being detected. Like many agamids it lays its eggs in a hole in the ground.

The species ranges from Iran to India, and from southern China down to Thailand. Recently introduced to Singapore, it appears to have out-competed the native Green Crested Lizard, Bronchocela cristatella, which now has a restricted range.

Dhphotomen covers Asthana Arts @ F1 Launch , Pavilion

Asthana Arts' performance at the F1 launch can be described by many terms ; energetic, entertaining, traditional, and beautiful. The participants were dancers from the Putra Kalashetra  club of UPM. Performing three different dance routines ranging from oddisi to more contemporary styles, the dancers kept the entire crowd enthralled for every bit of their performance.As the final dance took place ending with cheers from the crowd, it became clear that  Ravi Shanker's  list of successful events expands again.

Dhphotomen covers Asthana Arts' Thirunangai @ Auditorium Taman Budaya

A successful theater production is a complex creature. An amalgamation of form, movement, emotion, and drama that somehow resonates deep within its audience, awakening imagination and highlighting the vivid truths of life.

Ravi Shanker, Artistic Director of Asthana Arts, decided to venture forth on untrodden ground producing the theater/dance production; THIRUNANGAI, which simply means "transsexuals"; a taboo in our society and also an often shunned subject. Ravi has taken great pains to research, understand, and study the philosophies behind this term. This story revolves around Vishnu and 4 "Thirunangai" ; Ganga, Suryakala, Maya and Theresa. Emphasizing ignorance and the journey towards creating awareness, Thirunangai provokes thought and bids us to delve within ourselves to discover our stand on this issue.

As our society progresses, the role of the arts to cultivate awareness on the lesser known aspects of our lives becomes increasingly important. The success of Thirunangai has been well documented by various forms of media all across the country. In anticipation , we await more.......