Over 300 people from the New York region filled the auditorium at the The Indian-American Kerala Cultural & Civic Center, Elmont New York on Saturday, August 25, 2007 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of India ’s Independence Day and Onam, the harvest festival of Malayalees across the globe.
Harry S. Anand, the newly elected Mayor of the Village of Laurel Hollow on Long Island, lauded the efforts of the Kerala Center to provide a forum for Indian Americans to come together and take efforts to participate in the mainstream American politics. "The United States is one of the few nations in the world, where you are encouraged to maintain one’s own culture," he said. The first NRI to be elected Mayor in New York, Anand, appealed to the NRIs, particularly the younger generation to taken an active role in the mainstream American politics. "My election must inspire many more Indian Americans to come forward and take leadership role in the mainstream life in our adopted land," he said.
The more than four hours long program started with introductory remarks by John Paul, Program Chair and the welcome address was delivered by Jose Chummar, President of the Kerala Center. He said, under the leadership of of Mr. E. M. Stephen, the founder President the Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center ( IAKC & CC) - The Kerala Center was formed as a non profit organization in 1990. Over the years, the Kerala Center has become a focal point to coordinate activities and services to the Indian American Kerala Community. There are Malayalam language, Music and Dance classes for children, SAT coaching for youngsters. Various seminars are conducted ranging from political to investment in addition to many Civic and Cultural activities taking place on a regular basis at the Kerala Center. The Center has also been providing platform for various political leaders for have Town Hall meetings with the Indian Community.
In his inaugural address, Praveen Kumar, Consul at the Indian Consulate in New York, said, "I am proud and privileged to be a Malayalee" and want to celebrate with the awardees and the Kerala Center "the great gifts we are all bestowed with as members of this great state that is Kerala." With the enormous growth of the community in the U.S. and New York in Particular, the Kerala Community had long felt the need for a Community Center. Such a Center could serve to promote the civic and other social service activities among the Indian American community and also to serve as a focal point to coordinate the activities and services to the Kerala Community, he added.
Praveen Kumar inaugurated the public meeting with the lighting of the lamp and he was joined by Mayor Anand and members of the Board of Directors of the Kerala Center. This was followed by the National Anthems of both India and the United States sung beautifully by the students of the Kerala Center ’s Malayalam school.
The Onam Message was delivered by Goplan Nair, Chairman, Board of Directors. He said, a unique festival that has roots in Hindu mythology, Onam is celebrated throughout the state by people of all faiths. Mythology has it that King Mahabali ruled Kerala for a long time, and extended his reign to the heavens. Threatened by him, Lord Vishnu reincarnated as Vamana Avatar and outwitted Mahabali, whose last wish was that he be allowed to visit his people once a year. Onam is the festival where people welcome their king’s spirit and assure him that they are happy.
King Mahabali, the legendary king, made his annual visit, with nearly two dozen women dressed in elegant Kerala’s traditional attire, welcoming him to the podium with thalappoli, even as the loud Melam filled the hall. In his message, he praised Kerala center as the only group in New York which has stayed united and has been a symbol of unity to the entire Malayalee community across the world. The Thiruvathira, the traditional Onam dance by women was much appreciated by the audience.
The entertainment segment of the public meeting was emceed by the youth coordinators of the Center. The fancy dress by children below eight years old brought out the rich and diverse cultural heritage of India , just as it displayed the talents of these young kids. The cultural extravaganza was beautifully prepared by Chandrika and Lakshmi of the of the Nupura School of Arts and were presented by the students of the same. Classical, semiclasical, and cinematic dances and music by talented children were a treat to the hearts and minds of the participants.
The Senior Citizens Group sought to outdo the talents of the youth and children by beautifullly performing Thiruvathira, Ona Sadhya, a comedy show, and the popular Vallam kali. The graduating members of the Kerala Center were honored with Certificates for their achievements. The event’s highlight was a Bhangada dance presnted by the Malayalam School Senior Group Children. The event, concluded with a traditional Kerala Onam Sadhya.
Earlier in the day, a symposium on "Domestic harmony: How to Face & Sove Family Discord" was led by Rani Maleikal, president of Pragathi Inc. Members of the Kerala Literary Association and other participants actively participated and discussed the reasons for conflicts in family life, and sought to make find ways to face and overcome them in order to lead a happy married life.
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