KMPA’s Onam Celebration 2019

Kerala Master Printers Association thoroughly enjoyed their grand Onam celebration on 29th September, 2019, at the spacious Nandanam auditorium of BTH Saravoram, located along the National Highway (NH 66) at Maradu, south of Vyttila junction, Ernakulam. The beautiful pookalam (floral carpet) decorated with a variety of colourful seasonal flowers, adorned the floor leading to the main stage.
The function started off with a prayer and the traditional lighting of the lamp. Shaji M. Manjooran, Chairman, Hospitality & Recreation Committee, KMPA, welcomed the chief guest, Honourable Justice A.V. Ramakrishna Pillai, and guest of honour, Ganapoojari.
The presidential address by R. Gopakumar, President, KMPA, was followed by an interesting session of talks by the esteemed chief guests.
Justice Pillai gave us a much interesting story about Mahabali, quite different from the popular version of the asura king. The popular belief is that Mahabali was an extremely popular and munificent king, prompting the jealous gods to approach Mahavishnu to send him to pathala. But in reality Mahabali, though a generous ruler, wanted to be known so, bringing in an element of arrogance. To do away with this, it was with Aditi’s request, mother of Vamana, that he was eventually sent to suthala, which is believed to be an even better place than heaven itself, or swargaloka.

According to him, the three morals that we have to learn from this story to be applied in our modern day life are these: Arrogance only defeats oneself, because no one is above the other. Each creature in this world has a very significant part to play which no others can replace. Secondly, each one deserves what they get, by way of their actions (karma). And finally, but most importantly, we must only earn money that we need for a comfortable living. A hoard of wealth leads to greed and one’s own destruction.
S. Saji, Editor, Print Miracle, made a terse yet an amusing introduction of our guest of honour, Ganapoojari. A multi-faceted personality, he is a gifted poet, feisty orator with an inclination for satire, a dubbing artist, lyricist, political activist, and a farmer who believes in cultivating simple vegetables in his own backyard.

His talk was inspirational to say the least, speaking of the failures of modern society and the total disrespect of the family value system. Ganapoojari, through his entire speech, emphasised on the relation between a mother (amma) and her offspring. According to him, mother is the embodiment of the five great elements of nature, viz. Bhumi (earth), jala (water), agni (fire), vayu (air), and akash (space). Of all the influences in one’s life, it is only the mother whom you can’t repay. The other three significant influences including pitha (father), guru (teacher), and daivam (God), can be paid back. He also shared stories of how he used to relish on his mother’s simple yet sumptuous pazhankanji (traditional rice gruel) with nostalgia, sharing the exact mouth-watering recipe which his mother used to prepare for him as a child.

The function also included award distribution to students for their academic excellence, professional training course in printing, induction of new members in to the KMPA family, and presentation of mementoes to all participants, and early-bird lucky-draw registrations. KMPA also thanked Provin Technos Pvt. Ltd. for their patronage toward this event.
O. Venugopal, Co-ordinator, KMPA, felicitated all participants. Biju Jose, General Secretary, KMPA, completed the formal round with a vote of thanks.

The ladies forum of KMPA got full credit for their excellent compering of the various programmes that were charted out for the day. This was followed by a host of cultural programmes also organised by them. The traditional thiruvathirakali was performed in all its beauty, grace, and poise. Separate group dances involving children, women, and men; and songs from couples and individuals raised the tempo. In between, Venugopal G., dressed up as ‘Maveli’ entertained the crowd with his impromptu humour.
The highlight however, was a three-part skit, re-enacted from the block-buster Malayalam movie ‘Thenmavin kombathu’, drawing a huge roar of laughter and applause from the audience. Adding to the crescendo was the popular oft-repeated dialogue in the movie of the late, one-of-a-kind comedian Kuthiravattam Pappu, “Poyi taski viliyada”, which was a super whistle-blowing hit!

The fun-filled event finally ended with a sumptuous Onasadhya, which guaranteed one and all, of a great Sunday family experience.