Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Jeddah Tamil Sanghan, in a recent event here, excelled itself in presenting an entertaining evening that had, like in a sumptuous fare, something for everybody. Especially the dessert, where the group had invited humourous speaker Mohana Sundaram to enlighten and entertain all in a light vein.

The public in Jeddah witnessed a well-rounded quality show with the first half raising the pitch repeatedly with a number of dances and skits by kids whereas in the second half Kavingar Mohana Sundaram mesmerized the audience with his 90-minute rib-tickling speech that was laced with ethics, ethos and edicts.

Speaking to Saudi Gazette, after a rousing round of a talk that stressed on living a destressed life is possible if and only if we take everything that life throws at us lightly as he took the rapt audience through a rainbow of incidents and life’s homilies, Mohana Sundaram, when asked how he became such a wit and where he got his materials, said in a word: “Life.”

“I knew that I was a good speaker in school itself, and developed myself in the college days,” he said of when and where he learned to speak. “With regard to your query from where I derive my talking points, I should emphasize that I do not just read books and take the moral and ethical lessons that the material provides, but also from real life,” he said.

“What I see, I relay...of course to make it light and humorous I identify the events as something that has happened to me personally or some relative into the homily I’m speaking about to touch the audience with that instance. Being aware of one’s surroundings is the key for a speaker,” he added.

On being an ex tempore speaker in debates (pattimandram), Mohana Sundaram said, “When you get the topic, you do prepare with the real life instances you know, and also rely on them to be ready for counters during the debate.”

He had praised JTS for its efforts to sustain the Tamil identity despite being away from Tamil Nadu, and sustaining its rich culture through its efforts. When asked how individuals can preserve Tamil or be a “Tamizhan” (person of Tamil identity), Mohana Sundaram was circumspect in his belief that all need to chip in.

On getting the children of the Tamil Diaspora to go back to the roots, he said, “We as Tamilians need to understand that as we move away to different places, the art of writing in Tamil is diminishing with only speech and listening of Tamil still alive. But even these two facets of the language are facing challenges in the current generation, and if allowed to continue this way, a Tamilian will not know Tamil.

“Every generation should understand that they can speak in whichever language of choice outside one’s home, but when the family gathers at home the medium of communication should be Tamil. This is the only way the newer generations will know Tamil and carry forward the language.”

A big-scale multi-faceted programs by the members after a long time, had an ensemble of many visual treats. Right from the beginning till the end with their flamboyant cultural numbers the tempo was set. The program started with Qirat by Umar Ahmad, followed by national anthems as well as Thamizh Thai Vazthu. Jai Shankar welcomed the guests, whereas Siraj, reiterated the number of social activities rendered in the previous years by JTS with a presentation.

The children then too centerstage with the traditional Bharata Natyam depicting our culture, choreographed by Pushpa Suresh. The children captivated the audience with their blasting performance, followed by another scintillating dance by kids shaped by Santhana Lakshmi.

Usha and her team’s song “Vayadi Petha Pullai” brought about a fresh flavour, followed by Razinie Sri Hari’s effort as she choreographed her first dance, sketched the unique dancing skills of children with their unusual amazing moves that had the spectators in raptures. Her second conceptual dance was designed and performed traditionally.

Noohu Beemapalli, then sung the Tamil song, “Then Madurai Vaigai nathi” with his melodious voice. Despite Tamil not being his mother tongue his diction and clear pronunciation of Tamil words he stole the show with the number. Sofia’s melodious voice rendered, “Nan oru Sinthu” with anguish, and it morphed gradually into a gentler melody with her second number “Kannalane”.

The message-oriented skit “Save the Trees” by Ahmed Basha was well received by the public which is one of the visions of our late president APJ to motivate people to save and plant more trees, reduce deforestation and cut down trees. Following APJ’s lead, JTS has adopted many schools in Tamil Nadu and planted trees to green the environment.

“Child Abuse”, the dance drama by Marudhus (husband and wife) touched the hearts with their girls emotional and fiery dance movements. Their selection of the latest hit number “En Karuppee En Karupee” worked into the drama very well.

Then Swathi explained how yoga can improve ones’ quality of life and mental health, by exhibiting some postures that were demonstrated live by Mallappan, Mohan, Jai Shankar and Ramana on stage.

Each choreographers were given plaques for their dedicated commitment in showcasing the children talents and the sponsors were honored by JTS members, thanked them, since all of this would not be possible without their continued support.

Murali introduced the Chief Guest Mohana Sundaram, and he briefed all about the chief guests social and literary services to the Tamil culture, before inviting him to the stage to regale all with his 90 minutes monologue.

The famous Tamil speaker then tied the public to their seats with his witty and humorous speech as he touched the audience with instances that could well have happened in their own life. The thunderous standing ovation by the audience was the embodiment of acceptance of Mohana Sundaram’s homilies, allowing all to reflect on a need to reset the pace of their lives that could be enhanced if all knew hw to soak in the pressures by laughing, at others follies and also at their own.

Ezhil and Javid compered the program in an excellent way to keep the audience attentive, with their timely comments whereas Riaz, Siva and Adhil gave the IT support for the different presentations on the screen as well as playing the tunes for the stage performers, supported by Prashanth who controlled audio, video and light effects.

Rajan and Ramachandran meticulously arranged the performers to the stage for each program keeping the sequence without any hassle. While, Krishna did not miss a single shot of vital importance of the program with his timely photo shoots. The logistic arrangements were properly shouldered by Fayaz, Al Aman, Sathya and the volunteers team arranged by Jai Shankar were on their toes, in shifting materials, placing banners as well as controlling crowd.

To multi-packed program started and ended on time with a sumptuous dinner arranged by Parthiban and Subramanian, to keep JTS’s record in tact.