post news network, Bhubaneswar, May 7: Kerala is called the ‘God’s own country’ for its scenic beauty. Tourists from home and away have been fascinated by the state’s natural beauty since time immemorial. However, the residents of this beautiful place have been forced to leave the state and settle elsewhere for several reasons. A popular saying about a Malayali is that even if s/he goes to the moon s/he will find a fellow Malayali there. In keeping with this saying the Malayalis (the people originating in Kerala and speaking Malayali are so called), who had settled in this costal state of Orissa formed an association of like-minded people way back in 1966.
Benjamin Simon is a renowned Keralite living in Orissa for decades. This chairman of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (Orissa Chapter), along with some other persons from Kerala, who have made their own niche in this coastal state of the country, were the driving force behind association-cum-club called Kerala Kala Samiti (KKK).
According to the website of the association, “Wherever the Malayalis live … they still have a special love and passion towards their homeland and have a tendency to celebrate their traditional festivals. Festivals like Vishu, Onam, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Easter, Christmas etc. are few among those. Onam is a unique festival of Kerala.”
The association was mainly formed to create a platform where the people from that state could regularly meet, interact and celebrate their major festivals. Almost 50 years down the line, the club has now transformed into the foremost Malayali cultural and social organization of the people belonging to the southern state. The members and officials of the association are now buoyed by the response the club has been garnering in the last few years.
“The club was established in 1966 as a voice for all Malayalis in Bhubaneswar. The main aim was to contribute in the field of cultural integration, social service and other similar activities. Currently around 300 Malayali families are part of this dynamic club. These people have totally embraced the Oriya culture and have been persistently contributing to the development of the state,” said Benjamin Simon, president of the association/club.
The association/club organises several events throughout the year. According to the officials of the club, mega events are organised every year during the Onam festival and the Christmas day. These apart, several other cultural programmes, alongside some social work and meetings of the members where they talk on diverse subjects affecting the community, are organised by the association/club. The club has its office at Baramunda in the city.