National Forum (NAFO-Kuwait) celebrated “ONAM 2017” on Friday, 13th October, at the Indian Community School, Khaitan. The celebrations kicked off at 10:30am with the lighting of Bhadradeepam performed by honorable Guest of Honour Shri. Kavalam Sreekumar, NAFO officials and senior ladies of NAFO. A meticulously crafted Onapookalam by talented NAFO families set the perfect start for the festivities on Onam day early morning itself.
The function started off with national anthems of Kuwait and India, followed by a prayer song by Sreela Raviprasad and Sreeranjini Ajay. Acting General Secretary of NAFO, Anish Nair, by briefly indicating the background and significance of Onam, welcomed the auspicious gathering. Shri. Sibi U.S. Second Secretary (Labour) from Indian Embassy was the Chief Guest. The event was also attended by several prominent dignitaries, delegates of co-organizations, members of media fraternity and other NAFO well-wishers and sponsors.
Day’s cultural programs commenced with a graceful and meticulous Thiruvathirakali by NAFO Ladies’, with allusive gestures and rhythmic footwork and under the background of lyrical music, choreographed by Preethi Rajeev captured the whole audience
Unique musical event “Ragamanjari” by acclaimed classical singer “Kavalam Sreekumar rendered with classical songs, film songs, and popular folk songs written by his great father Padma Shri. Late Kavalam Narayana Panicker was the true highlight of whole day celebrations. He was accompanied by Balamurali-Violin, Perunna Hari-Mrudungam, Iqbal Koilandy-Tabala and Ragesh Ramakrishnan-Ganjira, elegantly took all the audience to a greater height of excitement.
Chief Guest, Sibi U.S., in his inaugural address admired, congratulated and thanked NAFO for organizing such events of heritage, such as Onam, aimed at nurturing unity and harmony among the community beyond of region and religion. NAFO President, O.N. Nandakumar, in his message mentioned the importance of Onam celebration in humanizing love and brotherhood beyond caste, creed or religion. He informed the gathering about NAFO’s recent socio-welfare activities supporting the poor and needy community members in Kuwait and India.
NAFO Patron, Vijay Karayil, Advisory Board member, B.S. Pillai, Ladies’ Wing Chief Coordinator, Jayalakshmi Promod - all of them in their felicitation messages highlighted the joyful feelings, memories and timely relevance of NAFO activities to attain a world of equality and social justice following the foot path of Acharya Bharatha Kesari Mannathu Padmanabhan.
Guest of Honour Kavalam Sreekumar was honoured traditionally adoring with a Ponnada and presenting a NAFO memento. Chief Guest Sibi was also honoured by presenting a memento as a gesture of respect on his commendable contributions rendered to Indian diaspora within the short span of his diplomatic services in Kuwait.
The platform of this year’s Onam function also witnessed the bid of farewell to two NAFO senior members, P.K. Sasidharan and Radhakrishnan Thampy, presented with mementos as an admiration of valuable contributions to NAFO.
Elegant compering of the whole event by Anamika Anilkumar flawlessly guided the gathering from the beginning to the end. NAFO Vice-President and event co-convener, Sreekumar Pillai, proposed vote of thanks by specifically referring to all those who wholeheartedly supported and participated and made the event a grand success. A delicious Onasadya which was catered by one of the most popular chef in Kuwait –was served to all attendees.
The afternoon sessions of events were continued with group dance, group songs, solo dances, solo songs and brilliant instrumental music by extremely talented NAFO kids, and elders added contemporary flours to the day’s cultural events. The program committee headed by TKV Pradeepkumar (Convenor), Promod Menon and Sreekumar Pillai (Co-Conveners) professionally co-ordinated the whole day event with the support of NAFO Advisory Board, Executive Committee, Ladies’ Wing and General Committee.
The event concluded at 03:30 pm.