Souvenir Rise & Restore Carnival

Rise & Restore Carnival Souvenir

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Contents

Not a drop to drink.................................. 28

Friend in need and indeed........................ 12

Dance DIvine........................................... 32

Kerala Floods and

Teens with Concern................................. 39

How Sydney reacted to it........................ 16

Meet us on stage................................. 42

Life after the time of deluge..................... 22

The first step........................................... 46

Published by: Sydney Malayalee Association Inc. design and layout: Chetana Media, Kottayam, Ph: 9447001122 Printers: Pixela Creative - 0403 993 399 Private circulation only Cover Photo painting: Sheeja Nandakumar Editorial Board: John Jacob, Babu Paul, Murali Nair, Thomas Kuruvilla, Santhosh Puthan, James Chacko

Gladys Berejiklian MP Premier of New South Wales Kerala Rise & Restore Fund-Raising Carnival I wish the Sydney Malayalee Association every success in its efforts to raise funds for the survivors of the 2018 floods in Kerala, India, at its Rise & Restore Carnival to be held in Liverpool on 27 April 2019.

I also commend the Liverpool City Council for supporting this worthy event. The floods in Kerala, which led to the death of five hundred and the evacuation of one million people was an untold tragedy.

It is important that the people of Kerala are not forgotten.

It is of the upmost importance that the people of Kerala have secure housing and safe drinking water as they rebuild their lives after last year’s devastating events.

I applaud the Association for setting an ambitious target of raising $42,000 to this cause, having previously donated $30,000 to the Kerala Chief Minister ‘s Disaster Relief Fund.

I commend the dedication of the Malayalam-speaking residents of NSW for organising and championing this worthy cause and to Sydney’s Indian community as a whole who have promised their support.

I wish you all the best in your efforts.

Gladys Berejiklian MP Premier

Pinarayi Vijayan Chief Minister

Secretariat Thiruvananthapuram-695 001

No. 343/Press/CMO/19.

20th March, 2019.

Government of Kerala

I am happy to note that the Sydney Malayalee Association is taking up various projects in Kerala, to help the state its rebuilding initiatives, post the devastating floods of the previous monsoon.

It is heartening that as part of the fund raising drive to aid these Projects, the ‘Rise and Restore Carnival’ is being organized.

Let me take this opportunity to extend all the best wishes to the carnival and the projects being undertaken by Sydney Malayalee Association in Kerala.

Even while living outside Kerala, you have taken the pains to extend support to your motherland and its people, in their time of need. Your love for Kerala and Malayalees deserve special mention. On behalf of the state of Kerala, let me congratulate you for your thoughtful gesture and thank you for your earlier contribution to the CMDRF.

Pinarayi Vijayan Shri. Jacob John Secretary, Sydney Malayalee Association Post Box No: 3214, Bankstown, Australia execom@sydmal.com.au Tel: (0471) 2333812 & 2333682 Fax: (0471) 2333489 e-mail: cheifminister@kerala.gov.in, Website: www.keralacm.gov.in

Ramesh Chennithala Leader of Opposition

20-3-2019 I am extremely happy to learn that The Sydney Malayalee Association releasing a souvenir titled “Rise and Restore Souvenir� in connection with fund raising for extending help to flood victims of Kerala.

I am very happy to know that the Sydney Malayalee Association has donated $ 30,000 for CMDRF and I take this opportunity to congratulate the bearers of the organization for their valuable effort.

I extend my heartfelt wishes to this endeavor.

Ramesh Chennithala

Cantonment House, Vikas Bhavan P.O., Thiruvananthapuram-695 033 Phone-Office : 0471- 2315625, 2512050 Fax : 0471-2315625 Res: 0471-2318330 Mobile : 9447777100, 9400355551 E-mail: rameshchennithala@gmail.com

Dear Friends, It’s indeed a privilege to pen these lines, in the context of this special souvenir, brought out for rise and restore carnival.

Indians, in particular the Keralites need no description about the August 2018 floods that ravaged the state of Kerala.

Since the floods, people over the oceans, around the globe have overwhelmingly contributed to rebuild and restore the people of Kerala.

To date Sydney Malayalee Association, in its short 45 year history, in Sydney, has never undertaken such a compassionate and noble project viz: Rise and Restore.

The executive committee, with the concerted and relentless efforts has made this carnival a reality, under the wonderful guidance of its chairman, Mr Jeromy Joseph, and his team. I am proud to acknowledge and applaud such a talented team, to raise funds for the seven projects that the association has undertaken.

Rise and Restore carnival would be a memorable event, and it would reverberate and ripple in the memory of many, for years to come. This carnival is a testament to the positive impacts that would be created in the lives of a few fellow Malayalees in the village of Kadamakudy, Kerala.

I have personally visited the the village of Kadamakudy, unknown to me, until the floods. The fallen houses, houses with no roofs, broken walls. The scenes were heart wrenching. A young family of four, lived in a concrete water tank, converted temporarily as their home. I could see the shadow of hopelessness in their faces. I could also see a glimmer of some kind of expectation on their sad faces, trying to smile. The harsh realities after a heavy monsoon disaster were still lingering all over that small village.

Malayalee association, with the strength of its members has the vision.

Yes, vision is important, but so is the ability to see things as they are. With this reality in mind, our goal of constructing six houses and one drinking water tank project (joint venture), is very modest and achievable. Like in a game of chess, small moves pave the way for big ones.

I would like to acknowledge and appreciate many members from inside and outside our community. There are many, and it is impossible to name them all here, however, they are all in the hearts and thoughts of all Malayalee’s in Sydney, and we are eternally grateful to each one of them.

I would like to conclude with this, “Obstacles are challenges, but impossibilities are invitations.”

Thank you all for participating.

Joseph Kachappilly

Jeromy Joseph Director, Rise and Restore Carnival.

Treasurer, Sydney Malayalee Association.

Location map of Kadamakkudy, Ernakulam District

Kerala, a state on the southern shoreline of India and the homeland of thousands of Sydneyites, witnessed the biggest deluge of its history last year.

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s majority of you are aware by now, in August 2018, floods in the southern state of India, Kerala, robbed the lives of more than 480 people. Unprecedented torrential rains and a series of landslides has caused this monstrous flood to occur. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has placed the state of Kerala in a red alert due to the flooding.

Roads, bridges, and railway tracks, were washed un-

der the water. It is also estimated that over 3.4 million hectares of farmland was also submerged with water. Areas such as Idukki and Munnar were some of the worse areas that were affected. 6 hours of continuous rain ensured that the sewers overflowed and the streets gushed to increase the level of the flooding. The reports show that about 99282 homes has been damaged and this is a staggering number of homes that have been destroyed and money that

The loss of Kerala in a nutshell

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it would cost to fix it. All of these show how there was a number of different impacts that occurred from the Kerala Flood.

Sydney Malayalee Association (Sydmal) and its well-wishers put a lot of efforts to create the awareness through public events, raised funds and donated a total of $30,000 to the Kerala Chief Minister’s fund.

Still Sydney Malayalee Association wanted to do more after seeLocation map ing and hearing about the devastating impacts that has happened in Kerala. They believed that someone should take the responsibility to help those who are in need and help our fellow peers. They realised that there is a need in terms to post flood recovery and rehabilitation efforts. Restoration of the drinking water and the reconstruction of the homes, the basic needs of humans were always considered as a priority and necessity.

After certain consideration of the different areas within Kerala, Sydmal proposed to take a number of projects that will assist the people who are in need.

They made the decision that they should provide the funding required to build 5 houses in Kadamakkudy and one house in Palakkadu. Kadamakudy is an island and a backward village in the Ernakulam district which was severely impacted by the Kerala Flood. The people in the village mainly depend on inland fishing for their daily wage. Fr. Paul Cherupilly, Executive Director of Welfare Services Ernakulum said, “We shall be deeply obliged if you could kindly support for the reconstruction of the needy families through your Association which is engaged in many charitable and welfare activities One of their other main projects that will be established with the money raised from this event is the support and help in restoring the drinking water infrastructure in Pullangady, a small island village in the Alappuzha District surrounded by water. The project will fund the villagers to create an overhead

Rise & Restore Carnival Souvenir

of Pullangady, Alappuzha District water tank considered lagers and community

and the relevant infrastructure. Sydmal the project as it helps most of the vilreceived an official request through its members.

We are hoping to provide INR 300,000 (Approximately AUD 6000) for each individual project and this means that Sydmal needs a total of $42,000 AUD to fund all the projects. Sydmal was able to raise $15,000 from the Blacktown event, which was supported by the Blacktown council. The purpose of the Rise and Restore Carnival is to raise money to make these projects into reality. With every dollar that is received, we are one step closer to achieving this goal.

Today is that day where we have an opportunity to join the Rise & Restore carnival at the Whitlam centre in Liverpool. There have been a numerous amount of dedicated community members who have generously given their time and effort to ensure that this day will run smoothly. This carnival has also been heavily supported by the Liverpool Council, Cricket Australia, as well as other sponsors and various community associations. Without them, this event wouldn’t be occurring. We take the time to thank the amount of volunteers and the performers who have participated in this glorious event. Every person who is involved in the Carnival can be proud of his contribution to these projects and you all deserve a bigThank You!

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erala, the home-state of Malayalee speaking community in India, has always stood high in terms of the social welfare and quality of life of its inhabitants. The 100% literacy rates and highest life expectancy of the artisan state has always been viewed with awe by the rest of the Indian states. Only 1/200th of the land area of Australia, Kerala is renowned for its lush greenery and idyllic beaches, which makes it quite a charming presence in the international tourism map as well.

However, the torrential rains of some 42% more than its usual amount during the monsoon in July 2018 hit the state hard, and the price Kerala had to pay was substantial. More than 400 people were killed and close to a million were displaced, in this

crisis which was the first in the last 100 years. The cost to the state and its people was a staggering $A4 billion. Kerala was estimated to have gone 10 years behind in its economic development, and it was predicted that the rehabilitation including the long term one will take more than 10 years to come.

The coupling of relentless rains with the opening of the majority of the 39 dams in the state, and subsequent landslides as an outcome of the landmass getting soaked ravaged the state. Neither the people of the state nor two of their previous generations had seen a calamity like this in their lives; hence there was massive confusion everywhere. However, after the subsiding of the state of

Dr. Emie Roy

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initial shock, the state saw the emergence of social media platforms as the biggest monitors during the catastrophe. People keeping vigil on facebook and watsapp day and night to this extent was something the world never witnessed before; converting

Every thought, every prayer, every penny and every presence count”; and the community did respond very actively to this initiative led by Sydney Malayalee Association.

them to citizen led control rooms, that triggered rescue missions, and procurement and transfer of amenities. Kerala rose back, thanks to the resilient spirit of the inhabitants and everyone that supported them.

the afflicted Coorg which is in close proximity to Kerala, and also of the drought-stricken Australia.

One of the highlights of the day was the ‘Oath of Solidarity’ taken by Sydneysiders to support both their homeland and the land that welcomed them with open arms, to the best of their capacity. The vigil was well attended by the Australian Parliamentarians as well as citizens of multiple ethnicity.

However, normalcy is still a long way away. Infrastructural damages to roads and bridges, fall of small-scale industries, small businesses and trades, farming community whose crops and animals got destroyed depriving them of livelihood, and the people whose lifetime savings were lost – all need much monetary, social, institutional and psychological support to be reinstated. This is where the role of expat Keralites becomes much relevant – to extend that helping hand of solidarity and financial support.

Malayalee-Australians played their part too, and Sydney Malayalees stood apart in their response to the massive deluge that ravaged the state.

The group held a public vigil on 26 August, which was well summed up by John Jacob, Secretary of Sydney Malayalee Association, to the media at that point “This is a community vigil of reflection, solidarity and connection to help rebuild Kerala.

Sydney saw a whopping crowd of around 600 people attending the Kerala Flooding Vigil held at Martin Place, often called the heart of the city. The vigil was quite inclusive of the regions including

Roanna Gonsalves, the Premier’s award-winning writer who attended the vigil was quoted advising the media, “I could feel the outpouring of concern and love for the communities badly affected by the floods. I was surprised yet not surprised that the Sydney Malayalee Association had already raised close to $30,000. Living outside India, we feel acutely our privilege of being safe and well, yet there is also a sense of helplessness, and a desire to use our privilege, to be of service to those affected back home. A gathering such as this allowed us to collectively express these different emotions. It was cathartic. And hopefully the funds raised will make a difference to the lives of those suffering in Kerala.”

The mainstream Australian community was very understanding too. Michelle Rowland, the

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Federal MP for Greenway (NSW), said in her motion at the Federal Parliament - “Whilst it is crucial that disaster relief support is provided immediately, it is also imperative that ongoing support is given in the region to alleviate the damage to the local economy. It’s crucial that we elevate discussion within the Asia-Pacific and the Indo-Pacific region about preparation efforts for extreme climate events, including flood mitigation. Australia can and should lead this conversation.” Jodi Mackay, the MP for Strathfield (NSW) who was instrumental in organising the Sydney vigil, spoke about the importance of restoring tourist activities to Kerala, and thus supporting the economy of the state, during the same.

What followed was the stage event, “Rise and Restore”, a fundraiser, supported and well represented by all of the Indian community in Sydney.

Held at Bowman Hall, it was an amazing display of collective efforts to raise funds towards such a noble cause.

In January 2019, for the first time ever, Cricket Australia supported a community organisation to raise awareness towards their fundraising efforts within and outside the stadium on the day of a match; and Sydney Malayalee Association was the chosen one. About 450 members of the Sydney Malayalee community came together at the ODI between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket

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Ground, on 12th January to promote the “Rise and Restore Carnival”. The group was in true celebratory spirit with drummers performing traditional drum beats and dancers grooving to peppy numbers, fascinating the spectators. The bunch did a great job of conveying the idea of the Carnival to the onlookers through banners, placards and stickers affixed on their colour co-ordinated white tops.

Louise Jeffs, the Group Business Development Manager of Cricket Australia said to Indian Link, the ethnic media group “The ‘Rise and Restore Carnival’ to support the survivors of a natural calamity seemed perfect to kick off this idea of permitting fundraising groups in the pre match arena. Not only was it relevant to both the countries that were playing but the proposal seemed very genuine and well thought out too. To be frank, this is the only group we have engaged this summer in the whole of Australia.”

The initiative proved to be a brilliant curtain raiser to the fundraising carnival Sydney Malayalee Association (with kind support from other Malayalee organisations in Sydney) is organising in association with the Liverpool Council, held today on 27th of April 2019. As we come together today to fundraise to assist the survivors of the deluge, we are also etching in golden letters, a new page in the history of migration to Sydney - that of cohesion, solidarity and compassion. Thanks for joining in!

The author has worked very closely with Sydney Malayalee Association to emcee the Public Vigil and the Rise and Restore stage event. She also served as the spokesperson of the collaboration with cricket Australia at Sydney cricket ground.

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Life had never been an easy job for the 16000 odd residents of Kadamakkudy islands. It would rather be unfair to call these tiny shreds of lands islands in a global sense where countries themselves are islands while the tiniest local self government system in India called a Panchayat is here comprised of fourteen ‘heaps of soil’ in the backwaters adjoining Arabian ocean.

night of 16 August 2018 when floods breached all shores still remains a nightmare that they never wish to witness a second time in their lives which used to revolve round the simplest demeanor. It had indeed been raining incessantly for three days prior to that most awful night of their lives and nobody took it in extreme seriousness because the same remained the usual experience of every monsoon.

Water or living in close unison with water is no unfamiliar matter for the inhabitants of these islets.

It is waters that they see surrounding their packs of small hamlets right from the first day of their birth and right from the first day of their inhabitation here. But what happened on that frightening

But the evening of 16 August unlike usual monsoon portended havoc with waters unusually rising and the sea apathetically refusing to infuse it due to a prolonged high tide. The hapless inhabitants of Kadamakkudy islets never came to know that the water in the reservoirs of the state had been let loose in highlands to avert unimaginable damages following torrential showers. A single dreaded night made waters swallow everything these people had when it rose to even three metres above the ground level. The biggest of the islets, Valiya Kadamakkudy alone had at least 200 metres of land spared by the rising water. The head priest of the local catholic parish to whom people always turned for succor and

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counsel at once rose to the occasion and asked them all to evacuate the area and to leave for the nearest mainland by whatever boats of canoes they could gather. The very next day saw these people becoming refugees in a number of ill provided camps in the mainland in Cochin, the industrial capital of the state.

If the three days that followed were of torrential downpour and rising waters, it took more than a week for the havoc to ebb and months for the damage to repair. The balance sheet of the flood is marked in bold letters with the never ending misery and near absolute loss everything precious for the inhabitants including their dwelling houses and other properties. Kadamakkudy is perhaps lone case of geographical peculiarities. The soil cover of the land is just one metre in depth, beneath which slush and clay form the interior layer making it impossible for residents to build houses with anything that could be called a solid foundation. Most of the tiny houses were built without foundation or basement just above ground level and the rather bigger ones built upon bamboo poles rammed into the clay layer above the soil surface making it possible for anybody to assume the condition in which the houses were given back to unfortunate residents when the ire of nature subsided.

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Still the stark determination of almost all people made these dwelling structures livable save for the poorest of the poor. They already had been pushing forward their lives hardly on the breadline and the vagaries of nature has not only left them penniless, but to look forward to the magnanimity of others at home and abroad. Their houses have been damaged beyond imagination and comparison to an irreparable state and they made penniless in the aftermath of the flood. The thin top soil cover upon which the houses stood has been cracked hither and thither like the lines on a palm in the hot sun that followed the flood; such is the texture of the clayey soil here.

Wherever the soil is laterite in nature, even the hot sun fails to dry it beyond the crust.

The people of Kadamakkudy live either by fishing of by farming-both have their own uniqueness ow-

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ing to the high salinity of water beneath and around them. Because every islet is surrounded by backwaters the healthiest of the people go out for fishing on country canoes. The less healthy eke out a living by growing a peculiar type of rice, Pokkali, that could stand extreme levels of salinity and submergence to some extent, but taking nearly six months for maturity. The remaining six months of the year they somehow manage a living by growing a local variety of shrimp in the submerged paddy fields.

It is this borderline existence that has been shattered by the unprecedented rains and flood which robbed them even of the seeds for next cropping and the cages in which shrimp

was grown.

Thanks to the determination and the fighting spirit of people, lives are again reaching normalcy to some extent but for a few. It is for this ‘few’ that interference of the helping hands

has been made absolutely necessary. A committee formed under the leadership of the local Christian parish priest feels highly thankful to Sydney Malayali Association for their willingness and magnanimity in offering to extend financial succor to the pauperized few in Kadamakkudy islands. Five families where bread winners are either diseased or incapacitated by various reasons have been identified for whom a house, however small it may be, houses have become as great a necessity as food and water. It is proposed to have houses with just one bedroom, one bath room, one kitchen and one living room for each of these families at the minimum possible expense for these families.

However small these houses be, construction should see to the possibility of floods in future, hence a hard stone foundation, kiln burnt bricks and RCC roofing which take the expenses a little towards the upper side. The entire people of these islets in general and the households of the beneficiaries look forward to the success of the ‘Rise and Restore Carnival’ that means to them a secure and livable house from beyond the seas.

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Water which the people of Pullangadi in Alapuzha District see right from the day of their birth is as familiar to them as the rooms of their houses. But the saddest part of their plights also has roots in water-Not a drop to drink.

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ome rain, come sun, the people of Pullangadi, an islet surrounded on four sides by water in Alappuzha District of Kerala is thirsty. Round the year they are thirsting for potable water. The floods of last year has only added to their misery with the scant pipe lines they had for bringing home fresh water irrecoverably damaged and made a waste.

The havoc that was poured down on the inhabitants of this typical Kuttanad village, that is either below sea

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level or at level with sea, by the middle of last August is so traumatic that they lose words to describe it.

Water, with which they were accustomed to live in friendly terms, started rising slowly and in a nigh’s time it rose to even six feet above the ground level.

Even without a raging monsoon or a flood, round the year the plight of the predominantly peasant community of Pullangadi is marked with incessant fight for fresh water. Finding no helping hands com-

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ing from government side they in unison sought their own means and succeeded in finding resources for digging a tube well and laying water supply pipe lines across the village. Digging a tube well had not been the end of all problems primarily because the pump set attached to it had to be operated day and night because no over head tank was constructed, which was a matter beyond their limited resources.

All the five hundred odd famiThe village elders at the site for the proposed overhead tank lies of this island needed water and every time a family wanted it, the pump set had to be switched on. Use with- ter supply facilities at any cost. A voluntary agenout any restraint resulted in the pump set requiring cy from Chennai donated them a new pump set of maintenance quite often and supply lines developing 10HP, double the power of what they had earlier. leakages at one place or other. Limitations were so Getting a pump set or reinstating the supply lines many; still they managed to have drinking water till alone will not solve the problems they face because the floods made it discoloured and stinking. the tube well has to be cleaned properly and an Then came floods following thunder showers, overhead tank constructed so as to avoid the earlier something like a bolt from the blue, as had happened problem of having to switch it on every time a famnever before. The wrath of nature made the people ily needed water. A bare minimum supply could be run overnight to save at the least their precious lives ensured, even when power fails, only if an overhead and nobody found it a serious matter to dismantle tank of a minimum capacity of ten thousand litres is the pump set and accessories on that horrible night. constructed, which in any conservative calculation It took weeks for the residents to come back only to would require funding of eight lakhs rupees. First of see their ramshackle houses and entire water sup- all a permanent structure has to be constructed at a ply system broken and covered with slush all over. height of minimum 25 feet using cement concrete.

Again never ending thirst began looming large over The tank any how needn’t be in cement concrete the entire village, once again necessitating them to because fibre glass tank would suffice for the time reach out to the kind hearted for reinstating the wa- being.

The entire village takes the magnanimity of Sydney Malayali Association expressed through the offer of sponsoring the construction of the overhead tank as a heaven sent blessing. In anticipation of the assistance reaching islet in no time, they have made arrangements for starting piling works which is absolutely necessary for the construction in a water logged terrain.

The local religious authorities and panchayat representatives see to it that the assistance is well utilized.

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T

hiruvathirakali also called Kaikottikkali is foremost among the traditional dance forms of Kerala in South India. Having roots in the rich religious and mythical heritage of India, this dance form has conserved its ritualistic and folk associations through centuries.

Originally staged on the Thiruvathira day of the month Dhanu according to the Malayalam almanac, this dance form has stood the test of time and has become a permanent icon of Keralan spirit and heritage. Irrespective of the occasion every secular festival of Kerala reserves a slot for this slow paced ballet type dance performed exclusively by women in traditional attire and ethnic hair style.

of which one a loin cloth called mundu’ and the other ’neriathu’ which when tucked to the former becomes an elegant cover for the bosom where already ‘blouse’ a half sleeved tight fitting jacket covering the upper part of the torso has been worn.

Neatly combed hair will be bunned behind with a profuse covering of jasmine garlands.

Thiruvathira, which is essentially ritualistic in nature, is played to the tune of a number of soft paced chosen hymns which are amorous in theme and romantic in tune and presenting out stories ofpristine affection and happy union male and female mythical characters. The head player sings the lyrics line by line giving time for the fellow players

Thiruvathira the dance form with enticing romantic overtones and strong ritual associations embodies the cultural identity of Kerala

Thiruvathira Dance The sinuous movements of the group of dancers, around a traditional brass lamp-nilavilakkuembody feminine grace and lasya-the Sanskrit name for amorous charm. The dance follows a circular, pirouetting pattern and is accompanied by clapping of the hands and singing traditional hymns. The dancers drape themselves in the traditional attire which is called ‘set’, a spread pair of unstitched soft cotton fabric in off- white colour,

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to repeat each line while clapping hands alone or in pairs. Clapping of hands, circular movement and semi squatting posture alternated with upright posture are typical of this dance form. Thiruvathira in its traditional style may conveniently be segmented into four-Sthuthi, Padam, Kummi and Mangalam; each having its own typical nature with regard to pace, lyrics and physical movements.

Stuthy: What is typical of every classical dance form of India is seeking at the outset itself bless-

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ings from gods, sages, teachers and all around.

Stuthi literally means a praise offered to somebody that is also a benediction and placing it at the beginning is aimed at creating a divine ambience despite its predominant tone of merry making.

Physical movements are limited in this segment while emphasis is given to lyrics.

Padam: The dance ascends slowly to higher tempo in this segment with each player forming pairs with the adjacent player and clapping with spread palms on the open palms of the counterpart. Most of the time the players stand in a semi squatting position with knees spread apart and feet kept close.

Kummi: The third segment in the dance offers a spectacular vision while ascending to brisk movements and circular motion along with simultaneous uniform rotation by each player. This segment in a finer precision is again divided into three subsegments as Kurathi which follows a folk style, Kummi where mutual clapping of hands is prominent and Vanchi where prominence is given to the tune of playback music.

Mangalam: The final segment is a ceremonious winding up where gods, predecessors, masters and the audience are thanked for enabling the players to perform well.

Though the number of players in conventional thiruvathira is limited to ten to fifteen, mass performance called mega thiruvathira has become an ambitious innovation in this heritage dance form-says

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Ms Lakshmi Sujith, the coordinator and choreographer for the performance at Sydney. This typically Keralan art form is given a cross community, inter religious and multi cultural synthesis at Sydney with players from various states of India who after their migration to Australia have been settled in Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Canberra in addition to the hosting state of Sydney. This biggest of the sort stage performance where 225 players array on stage also becomes spectacular on account of the absolute care given in sticking to the authentic and conventional style traditionally followed in its home state-Lakshmi says.

Lakshmi herself a veteran Thiruvathira player is originally from Ambalapuzha in Kerala who later settled in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala after the marriage. She had formal advanced coaching in dance from the reputed Souparnika dance school, Kerala after getting an elementary coaching from none other than her mother who also is a gifted dancer. The mega stage performance of Thiruvathira as a major attraction of Rise and Restore Carnival at Sydney marks the culmination of the much strenuous rehearsals that started months back on 12 October last year under Lakshmy’s leadership.

Lakshmi and her team have put in arduous effort into the organizing and behind the stage activities since then. Danseuses were identified and selected on the basis of their affinity and experience first of all from various states and social media groups exclusively for them were created

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for effective and prompt communication.

Lakshmi along with her core team members selected the hymns for stage performance from among an exhaustive list of conventionally followed ones in Kerala and primary choreographing was done on its basis. Video footages of choreographed lessons were sent in reasonable sequence to the selected participants through social media groups, 15 of them which were already formed on a local level in various states, on the basis of which each team leader ensured primary practice and coordination among participants. Nearly 250 odd participants have successfully come out of the much strenuous and decentralized rehearsals and the first full team rehearsal at Sydney was carried out on 2 March to the great appreciation of all concerned. The next on-stage rehearsal after making necessary corrections and alterations in the light of the first one was carried out on 30 March which took perfection of performance to the desired level.

It is planned to have two more composite rehearsals before the actual staging on the 27 of this month.

The conventional costumes for the performance have been specially woven at Balaramapuram in Kerala, a place famous of weavers, on hand operated looms strictly following the traditional texture and patterns of designs. Full range of attire specially woven with soft cotton yarn and having borders of 10 centimetres width in synthetic gold yarn has been ordered sufficiently early and is expected to reach Sydney soon. Special custom jewellery in the traditional lines including kasumala (necklace made of gold coins) and kappuvala (broad bangles in plain gold) also has been made ready.

Lakshmi and her team are happy over the reception Thiruvathira is gaining overseas and the occasions the players are getting to embrace the cultural identity of their homeland through this dance form because the first ever mega thiruvathira in Australia saw 120 performers on stage and the second one presently in Sydney is bringing almost double the number to limelight.

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SydMal Rise & Restore

Athira Elizabeth Thankachan Geetha Eruvatt Nidhi Abraham Prasida Dinesh Priyanka Eruvatt Ranjitha Rakesh Pillai Sheeba Sebastian Shreelatha Subrahmanya Viji Sampath Avani Christine Shaji Deepthi Sandeep Greeta Shaji Thomas Jesmin Manikunnel Jittu George Lakshmi Pillai Linnet Basil Mary Abraham Mary Ann Chavara Praseetha Kishore Reetu Sharma Sandhya Soman Shalini R Menon Sherly Wilson Shruti Pillai Surya Pillai Suzannah Jacob Tina Philip Chingam Amritha Varma Charisma Nambiar Jeannie Mathews Jeny Varghese Litty Zachariah Mary M Sabu Maya Madhavan Meera Venugopal Naina Mathews Preetha Mathews Priya Arun Radhika Chathanath Rajitha Varghese Rincy John Salini Rajesh Teena Jose

Dashapushpam Amitha Mary Paul Archana Ashok Aswathy Sethu Bincy Mathew Chinnu Gopakumar Laveena Viruthi Babu Poornima Tom Riju Prajul Rishina Valsalan Shalini Manesh Sreekarthy A S Sruthi Sasikumar Sukanya Sathish Theertha Harish Vidhyaparvathy Rameshkumar Kaikottikali Aishwarya Syamala Asha Biju Joanne George Kavitha Naidu Lisa Binu Manju Cherian Suni James Uma Shanemougham Kasavu AbaniSurendran Ginu Abraham Limcy Sunil Malathy Madhavan Manju Puthanveetil Susan John Margazhi Akshitha Elza Naveen Betsy Shaik Gayatri Varier Lalitha Paul Linnet George Maju Jacob Nova Jacob Pramitha Santhosh Radhika Narayan SabithaPadikkel SacithaSathyanathan Sanjana Padikkel Seethalakshmi Viswanathan Sudha Ramesh Sudha Shivanand

Rise Rise & & Restore Restore Carnival Carnival Souvenir Souvenir

Carnival 2019 Mega Thiruvathira Participants Sushma Warrier Tanya Shaik Thara Thampy Tina Naveen Usha Thirumeni Veena Sashikumar Nakshatra Anuja Aramal Babitha Nair Bhama Nair Keerthana Kiran Lima Vijayakumar Mridula V K Roshini Vidianandan Soumya Gopal Sreekala Kannan Sruthy Surendran Sujitha Sugunan Thrusha S Prasad Vidya Katteri Vipina M K Parvanendu Anitha Gopi Beena Viswanathan Bindu Alinera Deepika Shankar Meritta John Rakhy George Rekha Suresh Renju Renjan Renuka Nayanar SaliNito Seema Balasubramanian Sayivilla Shijila Kozhiyodan Shina Sathyan Sindhu Rajesh Nair Sreedevi Ramesh Sujita Anup Kumar Suvarna Nair Vinitha Shainose Poothilanji Annet Sijo Archana Dileep Arya Krishnan Aswathy Alex Cinobi John Deepa Hariharan

Pulari Nikita Santhosh Poornima Rajeev Preethi Saneesh Shruti Sanjay Sreya Sumesh Veneesh Santhosh

Jomse Jose Julie Joseph Kavitha Sheen Lekshmi Sujith Maegan Mathew Seena Kiran Sheeja Shine Sheeja Menakath Shiji Panangadan Paramba Shubha Anil Pournami Betty Thalody Binta Ranjit Deena Samson Dhanya Paul Jayanthi Palassery Jesna Mariam Varghese Jolly George Leema Mathew LissaTharappel Mini Anil Neha Joseph Nisha Saritha Ponnu Joji Rekha Krishnan Ruby Alex Sajitha Nair Sandya Antony Shani George Shankaranarayan Kala Tiruvilwamala Sunitha Muralidhar Sweety Mathai Thankey Alias Vijayalakshmi Kudanda Vijayalakshmi Ravikumar VincyMammen

Rise Rise & & Restore Restore Carnival Carnival Souvenir Souvenir

Thiruvavani Febitha Shebin backer Greeshma Abhilash Jyothi Rinish Kavitha Mohandas Lakshmi Soman Parvathy Menon Priyanka Mithun Reshmie Mampatta Seema Nithin Sincy Sinto Smrethi Prasanth Sreechithra Sreeram Sripriya Thekkepat Thrikarthika Aishwarya Karthikeyan Celine Issac Gayathri A Pradeep Jyothi Mangot Neena Nair Reshmi Chozhankandath Sangeetha Pillai Sreejitha Ashish Vaalkkannadi Annusree Krishnumurthi Shusheela Aswathy Appukuttan Athira Nair Devi Sreekumaran Thampy Dhanya Praveen Divyanair Irene Ann Reji Jhansy Reji Varghese Minu Hill Nisha Mannath Parvathi Sukumar Sarika Vethiramana Suparna Varma Swapna Pulickal Joshy Uma Nair Usha Chellamoni

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TEENS WITH CONCERN Teenage sisters Mili and Khushi, who have raised more than $23,000+ for charities through their art

I

t is not every day you meet teenagers who choose to rise up to the occasion and make an impact on their global community. Mili Dakshin (year 11) and Khushi Dakshin (year 10) are sisters who have been using their talent to raise funds for various noble causes. The two students of Macquarie Fields High School have raised funds

by Speed Painting at the recent SydMal program which was organised to raise funds for Kerala

Flood affected victims.

It’s inspirational that the children of the next generation make the most of their technologically oriented context by combining the widespread reach of the internet with their desire to help those in need.

The details of all of Mili and Khushi’s works are available at http://paintingforcharity.org/

With best compliments...

With best compliments...

Anoop, Divia & Devika

Dr. Suresh Nair & family

Rise & Restore Carnival Souvenir

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MEET US Abirami Natya Kshetra Fusion Dance Collin Joy

Tansi Collections Fashion Show

Bollyfit Dance Studio Nachle Dance School

Masters of ceromony Poornima Menon John Timotheous Soumya Raj Come on Kerala

Little kids Bass queens

Natyadarshan School of Indian Dancing Narthan Institute of performing arts

Natyanivedan Dance Group

T.K. Magic

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Borderline Band Rise & Restore Carnival Souvenir

ON STAGE Ruchi Sanghi Dance Company

Gitanjali Dance Academy

Utsav Dance Academy Padmaraj

Team Taal Tarang Keraleeyam

Rise & Restore Carnival Souvenir

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Rise & Restore Carnival Souvenir

Wishing Rise & Restore all success...

Dr. Sanjeev Vijayan and Dr. Dhanya Sanjeev

With best compliments...

Babu Varghese

President, World Malayalee Council, Sydney province Vice President, United Indian Association.

With best compliments...

Amal, Amir Ayman, Aysha Rayya AND Shahir

With best compliments...

Nandakumar and Sheeja Nandakumar

With Best Compliments...

With Best Compliments...

Jeromy Anu, Joshua Jordan &Jayden

James, Suni Reuben & Nihal

With best compliments...

With Best Compliments...

Jacob family

K P Jose & family

With best compliments...

Kavanakudy family

With best compliments...

Sathyan & Shina

With best compliments...

Ravikumar and Family

With best compliments...

George Paniker and family

With best compliments...

With best compliments...

Murali JAYANTHI & VISHNU

With best compliments...

Philip’s family

With best compliments...

Ramesh Pillai and Family

With best compliments...

With best compliments...

Vipin Das Peter and family With best compliments...

Mrs. Sarswathi Sashi and Mr. Sashi Krishna

With best compliments...

Uday and Vijayalakshmi Kudanda

With best compliments...

With best compliments...

Manjunath and NaNdini family

Abbas Chelatt and Family

Our sincere thanks to