on June 25, 2022 (Photo Supplied)
Venkat Raman
Posted from Suva, Fiji, July 14, 2022
Understanding each other’s culture and traditions, appreciating various forms of performing and non-performing arts, and promoting goodwill and understanding were among the ideals that marked a unique get-together organised by Malayali Hindus in Auckland last month.
‘Organisation of Hindu Malayalis (OHM) New Zealand, formerly known as the Auckland Malayali Hindu Samajam, organised the event called ‘Sanskriti’ at Freemans Bay Community Centre in Auckland City on June 25, 2022.
President Sasi Nambissan and his team of Executive Committee members invited Presidents and Secretaries of other associations and societies of the Indian community for a familiarisation meeting and to strike a common chord of solidarity and purpose. It also set a new benchmark in inter-community relations with a unique programme.
Not all associations marked their presence at the event but those who did, demonstrated their cultural and traditional values, raising levels of understanding and appreciation.
The Matariki spirit
It was in many ways a new beginning and as OHM Secretary Devi Shobana said in her welcome address.
“Sanskriti augured well with Matariki the Maori New Year which was for the first time marked in New Zealand as a public holiday on June 24, 2022. Matariki is a special occasion on the New Zealand calendar as it marks a new beginning, signified by the Matariki cluster of stars reappearing in the night sky. This is a time to reflect on the past year, celebrate the present and plan for the year ahead. In many ways, the Maori values are interconnected with the Hindu Dharma. We are taking this first step of establishing new connections with other associations,” she said.
It was a trailblazer and a confluence of the cultures of North and South India.
Manjit Singh, a popular Tabla player and teacher and Vai Ravindran, President, Auckland Tamil Association and Vice-President, Federation of South Indian Associations New Zealand Inc and Aotearoa New Zealand Federation of Tamil Sangams (ANTS) were among the guests of honour.
They joined Ramesh Keetezhathu, a Member of the Executive Committee of OHM New Zealand, and his Malayalam students in reciting a Hindu Vedic hymn as the Prayer song.
Energetic entertainment
Rhythm Dance Academy presented ‘Fusion Dances of South Asia,’ highlighting the cultures of India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Choreographed by Academy Director Aishwarya Koka, it featured Nitha Vayoth and other youngsters from various communities, while Anagha Rekha performed ‘Rasa Leela,’ eulogising the qualities of Lord Krishna, worshipped all over the world by Hindus and others as an Avatar of Lord Vishnu.
The amusing Tabla
Manjit Singh explained the origins of Tabla as a percussion instrument and spoke of its rhythmic and acoustic values. He said that his passion for music in general and Tabla, in particular, encouraged him to pursue and earn a postgraduate degree in Musicology from the University of Auckland, in addition to qualifications in Western Classical and Jazz.
“Music is divine. It has no language but unites people of all races and religions. Music plays an important role in every culture. It is up to us to preserve, promote and pass our music and culture to the future generations,” he said.
Taonga Puoro
The audience listened to the Taonga Puoro, traditional musical instruments of Maori, performed by Matt Reece, a solo artist from Glen Eden, Auckland, who evinces interest in ethnic wind instruments and such oddities as the African Thumb Piano and Jaw Harp.
“Taonga Puoro fulfilled many functions within the Maori society including a call to arms, dawning of the new day, communications with Gods and planting of crops. They are significant in sacred rituals and fulfil a story-telling role. Many of the sounds of the instruments and tunes are imitations of the sounds of nature, including the wind, the seas and the natural world of birds and insects,” Mr Reece said.
Ravi Muthu Manickam and Jayasree Sitarman regaled the audience with their melodious voice rendering popular film songs.
About OHM New Zealand
Mr Nambissan said that ‘Our Hindu Malayalis New Zealand’ is an organisation of Hindus aiming to promote the culture and traditions of Hindus.
“However, we will work together with other organisations to observe festivals and other social events. OHM NZ believes that the strength and wealth of a society depend not just on its unity but also on its diversity,” he said.
OHM NZ Treasurer Sobha Manmadhan Nair was the Master of Ceremonies and her team of organisers included Vice-President Dhanya Anup and Executive Committee Members Ajai Nair, Abi Manayil, Sudheesh Nair, and Sankar Namboothiri.
Mr Nambissan said that recitation of slokas from Indian epic Ramayanam will be held as ‘Ramayana Parayanam’ from July 17 to August 16, 2022, commemorating ‘Ramayana Masam’ (The Month of Ramayana),
“We have also planned to observe ‘Karkidaka Vavu Bali’ on July 18, 2022. This is a significant Hindu ritual during which people pay obeisance to their ancestors,” he said.
Onam Festival 2022
Mr Nambissan said that the biggest event for OHM NZ will be the Grand Onam Festival on September 3, 2022.
“This annual festival of joy, featuring fun, entertainment and the sumptuous and extensive ‘Onam Sadya’ will be held at Shri Shirdi Sai Sansthan, located at 12 Princes Street, Onehunga in Auckland,” he said.
Further information can be obtained from Sasi Nambissan on 021-797573 or Devi Sobhana on 022- 0697050.
