Venkat Raman
Wellington, October 22, 2020
A culinary contest, musical tribute to the late S P Balasubrahmanyam (SPB), dance performances embracing the ancient and the modern and dinner constitute the Programme at the forthcoming Kodai Vizha next weekend.
The Muthtamil Sangam is organising the event on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at Freemans Bay Community Centre located at 52 Hepburn Street in Auckland City.
Entry to the event, which commences at 530 pm, is by tickets priced at $10 per member and $12 for non-members and guests.
Details can be obtained from Secretary Sam Kathiravan on 021-1665166.
Email: muthtamilsangam@gmail.com; Website: https://muthtamilsangam.co.nz
Competition and Entertainment
Mr Kathiravan said that the Programme will commence with a ‘Sweet and Savoury Competition,’ at which participants will be asked to prepare one or two items each.
“Members of our community are well-known for their culinary art and this Competition will provide them a good opportunity. We expect at least ten participants,” he said.
He said that Ravi Muthumanickam, a popular singer of the community will render a few popular songs of the late SPB as a tribute to one of the greatest playback singers of Indian Cinema.
“We are sure that this musical segment will be highlight of the evening. We will also have performances by Chennai City Gangzta, Cockatoos, Anuradha Sriram School of Dance and others,” he said.
About Muthtamil Sangam
Auckland’s Muthtamil Sangam recently entered its 20th year earlier this year and Covid-19 restrictions have constrained the Association to hold back many of its programmes.
The office-bearers and members continued to be active on the social platform and exchange a number of educative and entertainment information.
Members of the Sangam, who are proud of their heritage and language, have fostered a new sense and spirit of unity during the past four weeks of lockdown.
Impressive leadership
The Sangam was formed at a time when the Tamil population was on the threshold of demographic change, with a larger number of people of Tamil Nadu origin originating from their home state and other parts of the world, Tamilians from South East Asia, Indian ocean States and others. Their lack of interest in any kind of politics then, allowed the Sangam to grow and as the only organisation representing Tamils (other than those from Sri Lanka, for whom there is another, older Association exists in the City), Muthtamil Sangam enjoyed exclusive membership until about five years ago.
The Sangam has had the benefit of the leadership of a cross-section of the community, who have served – and continue to serve- in various offices.
The current Officer-bearers of Muthtamil Sangam: (Seated): Sri Swamy, Sadasivam Kutty, Kathir Sam, Usha Shyam. (Standing): Prema Jagadeesan, Sheeba Soundararajan, Meenal Chandrakanth, Jayaraaman Madhavarajan and Ramasubramanian Narayanaraja. Subramaniam Natarajan is not in the picture.
Significant activities
President Sadasivam Kutty since its inception, Muthtamil Sangam has been striving to preserve, protect and promote Tamil language, culture and people, with ‘Being happy together’ as the motto.
“These include Pongal Vizha, Kodai Vizha, Chithirai Vizha, other festivals, picnics, competitions, and participation in the programmes organised by others. As a socially responsible organisation, the Sangam conducts blood donation camps every year, and participates in Environmental cleaning activities organised by the Auckland Regional Parks and Reserves,” he said.
Weekly Tamil classes
Mr Kathiravan said that the Association considers it a ‘sacred duty’ to carry the language to the next generation.
“As a part of our efforts in this connection, we conduct weekly Tamil classes for children. We are grateful to our senior member Senthil Nathan for conducting these classes with the help and support of teachers who teach the language on a voluntary, community service basis,” he said.
Mr Sam said that classes are held on Saturdays from 230 pm and 330 pm at Ranfurly Road, Epsom, Auckland (not during the Covid-19 lockdown period) and that Mr Nathan has established the ‘Padi Murai Tamil,’ or step-by-step learning method.
Radio Programme
The Sangam launched its radio service (soon after its establishment) broadcasting on Planet FM 104.6 on Saturdays from 750 am to 825 am.
Called, ‘Sangam,’ the Programme is being managed by Maninilavan Arivukkarasu (who has held various positions in the Association including that of President) and presented by Raja Mani.
“Our Radio programme is presented by volunteers. This is a weekly occasion to listen to ‘Thirukkural,’ the most extensive and most widely translated couplets. Written by Thiruvalluvar more than 1700 years ago, the 1330 couplets cover every aspect of every living being, nature, and the ways and means of maintaining a healthy environment. The Radio Programme is also used to carry announcements, forthcoming events of Muthtamil Sangam,” he said.
People anywhere in the world can listen to the programme online current programme and up to three earlier broadcasts. Please visit www.planetaudio.org.nz/muthtamilsangam.
Planet FM MobileApp can also be downloaded on to mobile and other devices. It is free.
The above story has been sponsored by
