Malayali Association (MA) Brunei organised a cultural show to celebrate Kerala’s Onam festival at Chung Hua Middle School, Kuala Belait recently.
The celebration, attended by 350 individuals, began with the singing of Brunei’s national anthem followed by the recitation of Doa Selamat.
The event was inaugurated by High Commissioner of India to Brunei Darussalam Alok Amitabh Dimri by striking the Chenda (Kerala Drum).
The high commissioner said that Onam is a colourful harvest festival of Kerala based on the myth of the homecoming of King Mahabali once a year to meet his subjects.
It also celebrates the idea of equality, honesty and prosperity.
He also appreciated MA’s proactive works on social, charitable and cultural front and applauded the efforts taken by the association in working with the Bruneian community.
He also highlighted the services by the high commission to support the Indian community working in the Sultanate.
MA President Murali Menon, in his welcome speech, thanked His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the Brunei Government for supporting the association in conducting cultural functions and other activities.
He said the peaceful environ-ment of the Sultanate has become a home away home for the Malayalees and requested the community for their active participation in MA’s social drives. MA also presented academic brilliance merit awards to the children of MA members who excelled in school.
The event was enlivened with colourful dance and cultural performances by children, men and women from the Malayali community and concluded with the Indian national anthem.
