Malayalam speaking people in Hamilton will have three reasons to celebrate when they meet under the Hamilton Malayalee Association (HMA) banner on Saturday April 26 at 6 pm at the Melville Intermediate School Hall, located at Mount view Road.
Secretary Dilip Kurien said that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be on top of the agenda.
“However, the modalities are still being worked out and we will inform our members individually in due course,” he said at press time.
Incumbent President Joseph M Joseph said that following the AGM, the programme will turn into a festive mood with the combined celebration of Easter and Vishu.
Religious unity
While Christians will mark Easter on Sunday, April 20, Vishu, primarily a celebration in the South Indian State of Kerala, will be observed on April 15.
However, by combining the two on April 26, HMA will underscore the significance of cultural and religious unity that is becoming increasingly imperative in New Zealand’s plural and multi-faith society.
In a sense, both Easter and Vishu signify the same concept – of equality breeding unity and universality of humankind.
Equality underscored
Signifying the transition of the Sun from Meena Rasi (Pisces) into Mesha Rashi (Aries) on the Spring Equinox with the number of hours of daylight and darkness equally divided in the Northern Hemisphere, Vishu is a major festival for Malayalees. This year, the transition occurs on April 14, which Tamilians would mark as the Tamil New Year Day.
Vishu is also considered a Harvest Festival and the Malayalam New Year Day.
Mr Kurien said, “The underlying concept behind our event on April 26 is to share a distinct culture across a diverse group of individuals. The emphasis would be on our children, who will present a number of entertainment items,” he said.
He said that the event will prove the words of Mark Twain: “India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend and the great grandmother of tradition.”
Further details can be obtained from Joseph M Joseph on 021-1199624, Sagin Jose on 021-1736073 or (07) 8432646; or Dilip Kurien on 021-0573897.
