Massachusetts Tamil Sangam - A beginning of Pleasant Moments

It gives me immense pleasure to share the great news around the successful launch of Massachusetts Tamil Sangam on April 23, 2022.  Massachusetts Tamil Sangam is a non-profit organization and wishes to bring the best to our community in the form of arts, sports, Tamil literature, Tamil culture and selfless service. Massachusetts Tamil Sangam wishes all beloved people around the globe a heartfelt Chithirai Thiru Naal and Tamil New Year Greetings.

The Tamil New Year goes by the name Subakreedhu and coincidentally I heard that it was also the transit of some planets. I understand that these transits do bring about some changes in people’s life. Perfect timing of the launce of our Tamil Sangam to bring about changes within our community that I see in person rather than the planets that are invisible.  

With that positive thought, a team of vibrant volunteers set the stage with a vivid brainstorming meet and agreed upon the launch off the new Sangam.  The initial thought process of having a simple virtual Facebook cultural event, with the eminent efforts of a dedicated volunteers unfolded the whole event to be a Mega festival. Massachusetts Tamil Sangam is blessed to have had more than thousand views of the event on Facebook.

The marketing team took me by surprise with unique cartoon promo videos resembling the “Janaki” Corona videos and was a big hit. Thanks to the innovative concept from Krishnaswamy, Thilak, Manoharan and Sankar who worked tirelessly to circulate these videos.

The cultural event was inaugurated by Tamil Thai Vazhthu sung by Smt. Uma Shankar, a renowned Carnatic Music Singer and Director of Shruthilaya, School of Music, Shrewsbury, MA.  Our team of volunteers joined hands to emcee 30 different variety programs comprising of over 50 participants.  The team included Suresh, who commemorated the event with his warm welcome address in addition to his feedback and introductory note to performances, Tanya with her pure Tamil accent in command, Navin with his mesmerizing modulating tone closely resembling the Radio Ceylon fame Abdul Hameed, Jyoti Prasad with this calm yet confident note in his intros, Sankar introducing the guest speakers and myself so enjoyed dressing up for the events and narrated dialogue from the movie Thiruvilaiyadal, represented precious gems to the event. Smt. Raji Ram concluded the event with a comprehensive thank you note.

The cultural evening covered all three concepts of Muthamizh viz Iyal, Isai and Nadagam in addition to Indian Classical Bharatanatyam. The event was blessed to attract a 2.5-year-old kid who recited Thirukural, Tamil months and Aathi Choodi in her baby voice and another young child reciting Shiva Slogam. The music world was filled with authentic Indian Carnatic Music songs from children and adults that included Sri Chakra Raja, Kurai Ondrum Illai, Kakai Siraginile, Muthai Tharum and many more. Famous Tamil movie songs included Our Iniaya Manadhu, Varalama Un Arugil, Muthamizh Kaviye and Aanandha Yazhai sung by nightingales of Massachusetts and New Jersey.  The audience enjoyed the kids playing the keyboard with famous movie songs including the Singara Velane Deva from the movie Konjum Salangai in 1962, Sid Sriram’s Kannana Kanne and Mella Mella Ennai Thottu, a classic piece of Ilayaraja sir.  The program was interspersed with fun filled Tamil Movie dance songs by talented young artists.

The audiences were further entertained with different forms of dance including Karagattam, Mohini Attam and several pieces of Bharatanatyam including Kumara Kavithuam, Mamavadhu Sri Saraswathi and Thillana and many more classical pieces. We were so fortunate to have a standalone veena recital reminding us of Bharathiyar’s Om Sakthi, Om Sakthi Om and Kanjira in Adhi Thalam by a child prodigy from the New England Area.  A precious gem to adorn our event was the Covid Thiruvillaiyadal 2022 enacted by the Rhode Island Drama Club. A heartfelt thanks to the Director, Shakthipriyan for his innovative concept and kudos to all the creativity from parents and children who participated.

The volunteers of this Sangam have joined hands with a vision with measurable steps to promote Tamil culture, language, create forums for knowledge sharing for high school, college preparations, music, and Indian arts amongst the community. Our goal in addition is to serve the community as required with food donations, contribute to fundraisers, and gather as a family on special occasions.  To start the community services, a group of dedicated volunteers Jothi Prasad, Navin, Manoharan and youth student Adish helped in preparation and packing of food to Lowell Shelter and Soup Kitchen. Great Job Team.

A very innovative thought of Stephen and Suresh who proposed the prize distribution in the form of certificates and trophies for all the Chithirai Vizha participants.  Thanks to effortless work of Arul and Manoharan to create the certificates and trophies within a short span of time. A special thanks to Suresh who coordinated with Frontline Nursing for donating trophies to all the participants.

On behalf of Massachusetts Tamil Sangam, we wholeheartedly welcome you all to celebrate Mothers’ Day on May 08, Sunday 2022 between 2 pm and 7 pm at Dean’s Park, Shrewsbury, MA. This is a free social event open to all with food, games, and music. The certificates and trophies for all the participants of Chithirai Vizha will be distributed at 5 pm. Please stay tuned for messages and information on Face Book.

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