Kerala, with its lush green scenic landscapes and crystal-clear waters, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful states in southern India.
The heritage of Kerala, which is reflected in its various art forms, martial arts, dresses, and cuisines, holds a special place in Indian history. And talking about New Zealand and its Indian diaspora, the Malayali community forms an integral part of the same.
Continuing with our series on cultural Indian associations across New Zealand, we look at the Hamilton Kerala Samajam (HKS) and its work in this sixteenth part.
Registered as an incorporated society on 1 February 2006, HKS aims to preserve and promote the cultural identity of Malayalees (people of Kerala ancestry) living in Hamilton. It is the first democratically formed Malayalee organisation in Hamilton and is a registered charity under the Charities Commission of NZ.
Giving details about the history of the association, Roy Vellara, the current President of HKS, says, "It started as a small group in the year 2003 with just 14 members. Later, it was registered as an Incorporated Society in 2006 and later, we got charity recognition in 2010. Now it is even registered in NORKA (Non-Resident Keralites Affairs), a Kerala Government organisation in Kerala as well.”
The overarching purpose of the Samajam is community development in Hamilton by promoting cultural, educational and social activities of Malayalees. “The Samajam endeavours to promote communal harmony and to foster understanding between Malayalees and other cultures in NZ. We want to preserve and nurture the Malayalee culture and to bring up the younger generation of members within the cultural heritage by organising and celebrating the traditional festivals,” says Vellara.
The Samajam, which has 1273 members, organises various sports and recreational activities, helps new Malayalee immigrants settle down in Hamilton, and promotes the Malayalam language in NZ.
Festivals like Onam, Christmas and Vishu are celebrated with great enthusiasm by HKS and its members. “We will be planning for a big event called “Keralosavan” in November 2022,” reveals Vellara.
Vellara believes that community organisations are the only ones that can preserve real Indian culture abroad. So what is the future plan for HKS? “We have a huge picture in your vision. We want to open the biggest Indian Community Old age home in NZ.”