Rich tapestry of dances mark KCWA Onam celebrations in Croydon (Pictures)

Pictures by Jayaraj Damodaran

By A Staff Reporter

BANSTEAD Oct 6: No wonder KCWA dancers are termed as the best within the Keralite community in the UK. Anyone who attended the KCWA Onam celebrations on Saturday at the Banstead Hall will without doubt vouch for it.

KCWA’s annual Onam celebrations this year, titled Keraleeyam 24, showcased dance and music, followed with a ganamela which as held at Banstead, 5 miles south-west of Croydon.

The programmes began with the lighting of the lamp and Sarika Ambili from KCWA invited the audience. This was followed by KCWA Patron VSN Mangalan delivering the keynote address where he gave a brief summary of the last 50 years of KCWA’s activities.

Balakrishnan Balagopal, one of the chief guests, in his speech said that KCWA always remained one of the pillars of strength for the Keralite community in the UK and in particular he highlighted the welfare works which Mangalan has done within the community in his early days.

KCWA secretary Shah Haridas gave an update about KCWA’s present activities and their onward journey.

Eby Sebastian, UUKMA spokesperson and Manju Shahul Hameed, councillor from Croydon Council too graced the occasion and delivered the felicitation speeches.

GCSE and A-Level awards were distributed to the worthy students during the evening by the chief guests.

The cultural programme kicked off with traditional Thiruvathira which was followed with an array of classical and cinematic dances including students from KCWA dance team alongwith their parents too coming on to stage with their performances at intervals. The two dance teachers Sankari and Ratheesh and KCWA arts club secretary Seely Premkumar were honoured during the event for the hard work which they put in to make the evening a grand success.

The organisers were seen very patiently accommodating programmes even from people from outside of Croydon. The evening saw more than 80 participants performing on stage which provide value for money for an evening in the accompaniment of Kerala food stall.

The hosts for the evening were Neetu & Aparna, who with inimitable style ensured the audience were kept entertained without an interruption.

The programmes also was enriched by a sprinkle of music – solo songs and medley by juniors and seniors.

The final session saw a live musical concert by Manoj Shiva and team.

The evening came to a close with Sona Ambili proposing the vote of thanks.