Colourful showcase of Indian arts

Festival aimed at encouraging youths to appreciate beautiful culture

INDIAN culture and cuisine were highlighted at a festival held in conjunction with Deepavali.

Organised by Persatuan Kebajikan Sinaran Matahari Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor (PKSM) at SJK (T) PJS 1, Section 18, Petaling Jaya, the MY Madani Indian Heritage Festival received support from Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry through its Cultural Sector Matching Grant (GSSK).

PKSM vice-president Vijay Annan Tanasakaran said the association was hoping the event could be held annually to encourage more people to appreciate Indian heritage and culture.

“This festival allows Indians from different walks of life to celebrate various aspects of their beautiful culture, including classical dance, music and martial art.”

Best Empire Silambam Academy members demonstrating the silambam.

Vijay also urged parents to enrol their children in Indian arts classes so that they would learn to appreciate the culture.

“It could be any class, whether to learn the veena (a classical instrument), bharatanatyam dance or martial arts,” he said.

“Encouraging these pursuits ensures that our culture will not be forgotten and will be passed down to future generations.”

Selangor MIC vice-secretary Sritheran Renganathan launched the event.

Sritheran (in white) distributing the free workbooks to the pupils.

He expressed his support for such programmes to be continued in order to preserve Indian culture.

“Today’s younger generation is less involved in preserving Indian heritage due to reduced parental influence and lower societal awareness.

“This programme helps the younger generation to be more actively involved,” Sritheran said.

Parent-Teacher Association head Yogeswaran Rajasagran said the event received good response with many parents and pupils in attendance.

A dancer performing the karakattam.

“This is the first major programme for the school, considering its recent establishment,” he said.

“I hope this event showcasing Indian culture can help promote the school to the public.”

During the event, PKSM also set up a booth distributing free workbooks covering a range of subjects to the pupils.

Demonstration of the silambam ring ball.

Guests were entertained to colourful live performances including a silambam martial art demonstration by Best Empire Silambam Academy, a bharatanatyam performance by Indrani Dance Academy, followed by Indian kolattam dance, peacock dance and karakattam performance.

The guests were also served a variety of delicious vegetarian dishes.

Also at the event was People’s Progressive Party (MyPPP) president Datuk Seri Maglin Dennis d’Cruz.