NAFO Kuwait (National Forum Kuwait) celebrated its 12th Anniversary in a colorful and splendid manner on Saturday, May 16, at the American International School, Maidan-Hawally.
Started with the National Anthem of Kuwait and India, the NAFO Symphony talents delivered an evocative song, in a pin-drop silenced hall.
Chief Guest Senior Indian Administrative Officer and former Chief Secretary to Kerala Dr. K. Jayakumar inaugurated the function by lighting the traditional lamp, along with the Indian Embassy Official Honorable Srivastava of the Indian Embassy, Kuwait, NAFO Patron Vijay Karayil, NAFO Advisory Board Member Dr. Prasad Nair, Treasurer TKV Pradeep Kumar, Chief Co-ordinator NAFO Ladies wing Smitha Sasshikumar.
NAFO President Dr. Srikumar chaired the meeting and in his Presidential acddress he just briefed about the chief guests and the program as a whole.
General Secretary M.S. Nair welcomed the audience, while Vice-President Gopakumar introduced the Chief Guest Dr. Jayakumar, by reading his profile.
In his inaugural address Dr. K. Jayakumar congratulated NAFO for their commitment towards extending welfare assistance to the downtrodden. He further praised the NAFO team for their continued efforts in carrying out such noble services. “Compared to other nations, the best quality of Indians is “Simplicity”, he emphasized while speaking generally about the culture.
The Indian Embassy official Srivastava, in his speech, appreciated the NAFO family for its relentless services to the humanity. He wished all success to its future socio-welfare activities. NAFO Patron Vijay Karayil felicitated the occasion. A Galaxy of eminent personalities also graced the occasion with their benevolent presence.
On behalf of NAFO, Dr. Jayakumar was then honored with Ponnada by Srivastava and a memento by NAFO Patron, as a token of appreciation.
Thereafter the Indian Embassy Official released Antaram Souvenir, by collecting a copy from the Souvenir Convener Pramod and giving the same to the Chief Guest Dr. Jayakumar and copies were also handed to main sponsors.
Immediately after the vote of thanks by Program Convener O.N. Suresh kumar, the floor was left for the much awaited “Antaram”, a portrayal exposing the influence of feminine power.
“Antaram” conceived by Gopika Varma and presented by Namaargam Dance Company, was an ensemble of classical dance, music, theatre and technology. The dance production had Bharatanatyam dancer Krithika Subramanian, Kuchipudi dancer Yamini Reddy and Mohiniyattam dancer Gopika Varma bring their areas of forte to the audience through the vibrant depiction of the mythological characters Kannagi, Vasavi, Andal and Aatukal Bhagvathy.
Krithika enacted as the role of Andal, Yamini as Vasavi, and Gopika as kannagi who later became Aatukal Bhagvathy in Kerala. The highlight of the production was Suhasini Maniratnam, who also danced to some tunes in the performance. Suhasini’s presence in the performance interwove real life characters such as Air hostess Amrita Ahluwalia, who rescued a 11-year-old Ameena from being married off to an aged man and other characters, in addition to the portrayal of Rhamba, a Sri Lankan girl from Karnataka, who fell in love with Mughal King Adil Shah and sacrifice her life to prove her love for him,.
In a nutshell, Antaram was a tribute to femininity, the magnanimity and the immense potential that it holds, which enthralled all.
Overall, it was an evening of scintillating performances by the South Indian talents, a rare experience to all who attended. At the end of the show, all artistes and crew were honored with gifts.
Meera Ravi Kumar and Sreekala brilliantly compeered the inaugural meeting and the cultural program respectively.