Auckland Tamil Association’s (ATA) Christmas Kondattam saw the Kiwi-Tamil community soaking in the festive fervour.
The event took place on Saturday (December 17’ 2022) at Fickling Convention Centre (546 Mount Albert Road, Three Kings, Auckland) and was attended by nearly 200 people.
The fun and frolic event started off with the singing of Christmas carols and prayers. It was followed by the guest of Honour Immigration and Transport Minister Michael Wood’s address and then speeches by other guest speakers.
Other dignitaries included Indian actor-singer Yugendran Vasudevan and community leader Ravi Nyayapati.
Sharing his experience, minister Wood, who is also MP from Mt Roskill, wrote on his social media page, “It was a joy to attend Auckland Tamil Association Christmas Celebrations today in my electorate. As we know, Christmas is all about hope, peace, joy, and love. It was a vibrant evening filled with music, games, food and much more, and enjoyed by all young and old. As always, a wonderful event hosted by ATA President Vai Ravindran, the executive team and volunteers.”
Some of the highlights of the event included a crossword quiz created and organised by ATA’s in-house talent Sandhya Govind, carol singing by Pastor Cobb Samuels’s of Zion Tabernacle Church in Mt Roskill and a Christmas cake cutting by Michael Wood in presence of ATA’s executive committee members.
Guests, too, couldn't stop gushing about the family event.
Deep Ramprakash said, "As a new member of this family, ATA's Christmas Kondattam was an interesting and enjoyable experience. I found the crossword puzzle family most entertaining, and I am happy to have won a prize for the same. I was excited to see our Hon Minister Michael Wood, referred to as “Tamil Selvan”. It was awesome to see him participate in all activities, perform the penalty act of two facts, and lie on stage enthusiastically.”
ATA’s President Vai Ravindran maintained that ‘it is a great time to review what we have accomplished as a community throughout the year with our ATA family.”
He said, “We make it a point to celebrate all festivals irrespective of religion, so our younger generation gets to experience different traditions cultivating religious harmony and peace. Sharing celebrations like these allow all ethnic families to feel at home.”
The event ended on a high note once the dance floor opened and people showed their dance moves as DJ Vineeth from Wellington played his magic.