It was wonderful to meet so many of you in person at the COMA Onam celebrations. COMA Onam 2024 was a beautiful homage to our Malayalee traditions. From the colorful Pookkalam and delicious Sadhya to the cultural programs that included Thiruvathira and Mohiniyattam, the event showcased the richness of our culture. Every year, I am truly amazed and humbled by the dedication of our volunteers working tirelessly to make the Onam celebrations a success – their efforts remind us of the importance of togetherness and create a renewed sense of connection among the patrons.
My heartfelt gratitude goes to the 2024 COMA Executive Committee and all the volunteers for orchestrating yet another memorable event for all of us. A shout out also to the performers for keeping us entertained.
Behind the scenes of the 2024 COMA Onam Sadhya – Subin Thomas
(Subin lives in Powell, Ohio with his wife Simple and two kids, Kevin and Trisha. Subin enjoys music and outdoor activities.)
Onam, one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals in Kerala is also the most anticipated event in our community. Every year it brings together hundreds of Malayalees, fostering a sense of belonging and joy. Though the event is marked by various traditional activities and cultural programs, the grand attraction is the Onam Sadhya.
This year, like most previous years, I had the privilege of volunteering at the Onam Sadhya for approximately 600 people. Organizing and serving a traditional Onam Sadhya for the multitude was both a challenging and rewarding experience. It required meticulous planning, seamless coordination, and teamwork to deliver a satisfying meal to such a large group. The preparations began days in advance. From organizing to coordinating volunteers, every step had to be planned with precision.
We met the previous day so that we could chart out the table layout and seating arrangement, clean the tables and chairs, clean and store the paper banana leaves, organize utensils, glasses, napkins, and wipes, arrange the water station, as well as work with the EC and decor teams for any other requests.
The Sadhya volunteers were divided into two teams: a serving team and a refill team.
The sheer number of people meant that food refills had to be immediate, and ensuring that no dish ran out before everyone had been served was a constant concern. But another major challenge was ensuring that the entire Sadhya wrapped up by 2 PM so that the cultural programs could start on time, particularly because the venue had curfews.
With the time constraint in mind, we had to be extremely efficient with the serving process. The serving and refill teams needed to coordinate perfectly to ensure that every guest was served promptly, without rushing through the experience or compromising the quality of service.
The actual day of the Sadhya was a whirlwind of activities. We started by unloading food trays from the truck early in the morning, ensuring that every dish was transferred into the serving containers and stationed at the right spot. It was vital to keep track of all 15-20 dishes traditionally served during Sadhya, making sure everything from the Avial to the Payasam was ready on time.
Serving began at 11:30 AM as soon as the guests were seated. The serving team moved swiftly, placing clean banana leaves in front of each guest, following the traditional order of serving – starting with pickles, banana chips, and progressing through the vegetable dishes, rice, and curries. It required careful coordination, as we couldn’t afford any gaps in service, especially with such a large crowd.
It was fascinating to see how well the team functioned under pressure. Everyone knew their station, whether it was refilling rice or serving sambar, and the flow of service remained steady. Communication was key – we had team leaders overseeing different sections of the venue, ensuring smooth coordination between the kitchen and serving areas. Though the team worked under pressure, we didn’t forget to have the occasional fun by sharing banana chips, having a cup of payasam, cracking jokes, etc.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of this experience was seeing the joy on people’s faces. There is something incredibly rewarding about being part of such a traditional and significant cultural event. As we served each dish, folks would smile, offer their thanks, and often engage in conversation, creating a sense of community that made all the hard work worthwhile.
Being part of the Sadhya team and serving a Sadhya at this massive scale taught me invaluable lessons in teamwork, coordination, and adaptability. It has also deepened my appreciation for the cultural significance of the Sadhya, as it is not just a meal, but an experience that embodies tradition, hospitality, and togetherness.
The process of serving a Sadhya is not just about the food; it’s about bringing people together and creating a shared experience. It was heartwarming to see families, friends, and even strangers seated together, enjoying the meal, and celebrating the spirit of Onam.
My Experience at the COMA Onam Festival – Devika Rajan
(Devika is an 8th grader at Liberty Middle School. Her hobbies include reading, singing, and playing the flute. She performed dance at the Onam festival this year. She is the daughter of Mauja and Dr. Rajesh Rajan.)
Attending the COMA Onam event was a beautiful journey into my culture and reinforced my understanding of what Onam represents. As soon as I arrived, I was greeted by the stunning Pookalam that decorated the entrance. The vibrant colors and intricate designs reminded me of the Pookalam my mom used to create at our front door.
One of my favorite parts of the celebration was the Onam Sadhya. The spread was incredible, featuring an array of delicious sides paired with rice. I enjoy the annual tradition of feasting on a banana leaf.
The event also showcased Kerala’s rich cultural heritage. The introductory performance highlighted various traditional art forms including Theyyam which was new to me. I was thrilled to watch, especially since my mother was part of this performance. My brother also had his first performance this Onam which made it even more special. In addition, everyone attending wore beautiful traditional attire, which added to the festive atmosphere.
Another highlight of Onam was the entry of the Maveli, which was celebrated by everyone in attendance. The entry of Maveli was nice to watch as it was accompanied by the lively sound of Chenda and Pulikali.
Performing at COMA was an unforgettable experience for me and my friend Gauri. After countless hours of practice, stepping onto the stage felt exhilarating. Sharing our dance with the audience and receiving their applause made all the hard work worthwhile.
Overall, the COMA Onam event was an enriching experience that allowed me to celebrate my culture in a meaningful way. It reminded me of the importance of traditions and the joy they bring to our lives. I enjoy all COMA celebrations as they allow for me to gather with all my friends and have a great time.
COMA volunteering from a youth perspective – Adithya Menon
(Adithya Menon is a senior at Olentangy Liberty High School. In his free time, he likes to be active by going on hikes, playing basketball with friends, and working out. He is the son of Deepa and Jay Menon.)
Being part of the COMA Youth Wing has been an amazing experience. As a volunteer, I’ve participated in many community activities, like helping with the super fun Onam celebrations. Serving the traditional Sadhya meal was a blast because being part of such an important cultural event felt great. I also helped with registration, making sure everyone got their wristbands and checked in without a hitch.
But that’s not all! We’ve been busy planning cool events and programs for adults and kids. One exciting event coming up is a community hike on October 12th. It’s a perfect way to bring everyone together and enjoy some time outdoors. Getting involved in planning these activities has been awesome for my leadership skills and has taught me a lot about what goes on behind the scenes of running an event.
What’s been cool is working with people who are all about making a difference in our community. It’s been great for learning the ins and outs of organizing events.
Oh, and did I mention? You also earn service hours for all the time you put into helping out through this program. Overall, my time with the COMA Youth Wing has been super rewarding. I’ve grown as a leader and gotten more involved in my community. I wish many more youth would get involved as it’s a great way to have fun and community bonding, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
The Joy and Challenges of Organizing Onam Sadhya in Columbus, Ohio – Sachinlal Sugathan
(Sachin is a COMA Onam Food Committee volunteer. He has been an active member of COMA from 2011, and lives with his wife Preeti and daughter Sahasra in Galena, Ohio.)
For the past 12 years, I have had the privilege of serving on the food committee for the Central Ohio Malayalee Association (COMA) during our annual Onam celebrations. Every year, we work hard to bring the traditional Onam sadhya to our community – a feast that evokes memories of home, heritage, and the unity of Malayalees. However, organizing a Sadhya in a city like Columbus, Ohio, comes with its unique set of challenges, which we have experienced firsthand.
The Complexity of Onam Sadhya
The Onam Sadhya is no ordinary meal. It is an elaborate spread of over 25 different curries and side dishes, each representing the cultural richness of Kerala. What makes it even more challenging is that every region of Kerala has its own variations of these curries. For instance, a simple Avial, Kootucurry, or Erissery can taste vastly different depending on whether it’s made by someone from one part of Kerala versus another region. This means that satisfying the expectations of one person can easily disappoint another. Finding a middle ground that appeals to the diverse palates of our Malayalee community is an intricate balancing act.
Limitations in Columbus
In larger cities with a significant Malayalee population, organizing a massive feast is somewhat more manageable. However, in a city like Columbus, the situation is quite different. None of the local restaurants have kitchens or utensils large enough to accommodate the volume of food required for a traditional Onam Sadhya. As a result, they are forced to cook in batches, often starting as early as midnight the day before. This can compromise the freshness of the food, sometimes leading to one or two dishes spoiling by the time they are served. Keeping over 25 dishes fresh and consistent over such a long period is no easy task. On top of that, the logistics of transporting all these dishes from the restaurant to the event venue adds another layer of complexity.
How Bigger Malayalee Organizations Tackle These Challenges
I’ve had the chance to connect with Malayalees from major regions in states like New York, Georgia, and Florida, and it’s evident that they manage the Sadhya logistics more smoothly, thanks to their greater resources. Many large Malayalee organizations in these cities have invested in custom-made utensils, burners, and even giant pots designed specifically for cooking and serving the Kerala Sadhya. These items are stored in dedicated storage units year-round, ready to be used during festivals like Onam.
Some organizations even go as far as flying in chefs from Kerala or other states to ensure that the Sadhya tastes as authentic as possible. These chefs, with their expertise, make the preparation of the meal smoother and closer to how it is traditionally done in Kerala. The key difference, of course, is the financial backing that these larger organizations enjoy. With significant sponsorships and donations pouring in annually, they have the budget to tackle such logistical challenges with ease. In comparison, COMA operates with more limited resources, making it all the more difficult to deliver a flawless Sadhya.
A Labor of Love
Despite these challenges, I have seen the incredible dedication and teamwork within COMA’s food committee. Our volunteers and local chefs go above and beyond to make the Onam Sadhya experience as memorable and authentic as possible. Every year, we should reflect on our experiences, adapt, and grow, motivated by our collective love for our culture and the passion to bring a taste of Kerala to our close-knit community in Columbus.
While we may not have the large-scale resources of bigger cities, our passion and commitment to delivering a traditional Sadhya, complete with all its complexities, are what truly set us apart. With continued support from the community, we can continue to make our Onam celebrations a cherished event for all.
In the end, organizing the Onam Sadhya is a labor of love – one that brings us closer together as a community and reminds us of the beautiful traditions we hold dear.
Disclaimer: Vocabulary enhanced using generative AI.
As August draws to a close and summer winds down, we are looking forward to September – a time of celebration for us Malayalees. Onam is a time to celebrate prosperity, abundance, and togetherness. However, as we revel in the festivities, let us also remember those affected by the recent tragedies in Wayanad, Kerala.
COMA’s Wayanad fundraiser is dedicated to supporting the victims who have lost their homes and livelihoods. All proceeds will go directly to the Kerala Government Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). You can contribute to this vital cause by sending your donations via Zelle to coma.officails@gmail.com.
Thank you for your generosity and support during this critical time.
The COMA Onam program is on September 14th, Saturday. More details to follow. Get your tickets here:
(One half of his brain has gone nomad and the other has gone in search of the first. Glorifying his random ramblings and packaging it is his main hobby! Otherwise sane and grounded.)
സംഗീതമേ അമര സല്ലാപമേ!
എന്തിരോ എന്തോ! എന്തായാലും സംഗീതം എന്നത് ഒരു മഹാസാഗരം ആണെന്ന് പറയുമെങ്കിലും, എന്നെ സംബന്ധിച്ചു അത് മുല്ലപെരിയാർ ഡാം പോലെയാണ്.. ഓരോ മഴക്കാലത്തും അത് പൊട്ടും പൊട്ടും എന്ന് വിചാരിക്കും, പക്ഷെ ഒരിക്കലും പൊട്ടൂല.. (ഇത് കുറച്ചു ലോങ്ങ് ആണ്, ക്ഷമയോടെ വായിച്ചു തീർക്കണം എന്നപേക്ഷിക്കുന്നു ☺)
സംഗീത സപര്യ തുടങ്ങുന്നത് വർഷങ്ങൾക്ക് മുൻപാണ്.. രണ്ടിലോ, മൂന്നിലോ പഠിക്കുന്ന കാലം. നാട്ടിലെ അമ്പലത്തിൽ എല്ലാകൊല്ലത്തേയും പോലെ 41 ദിവസത്തെ ചിറപ്പ് മഹോത്സവം നടക്കുന്നു. ഓരോ ദിവസത്തെയും ചിറപ്പ് ഓരോ കുടുംബക്കാരുടെ വകയാണ്. അന്ന് നമ്മുടെ ചിറപ്പ് ദിവസം, വൈകുന്നേരം ദീപാരാധനയും കഴിഞ്ഞു ഒരു ഭജന ഉണ്ട് . സ്വാമി അപ്പൂപ്പൻ നേതൃത്വം നൽകുന്ന ഭക്തിനിർഭരമായ ഭജന. കൂടെ ഏറ്റു ചൊല്ലാൻ ഞങ്ങൾ കുറെ കിഡ്സും മുതിർന്നവരും. അമ്പലം മലമുകളിൽ ആരുന്നത് കൊണ്ടും, കോളാമ്പിയിലൂടെ ലൈവ് സംപ്രേക്ഷണം ചെയ്തിരുന്നതുകൊണ്ടും, ഇത് നാട്ടുകാർക്ക് മുഴുവൻ ഉള്ള ഭജൻ ആയിരുന്നു. അപ്പൂപ്പൻ പാടുന്നു, എല്ലാരും ഏറ്റു പാടുന്നു.
ആവേശത്തോടെ ഞാനും പാടി. പാടി എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞാൽ തകർത്തു പാടി..
ഞാൻ സർവം മറന്നു പാടിക്കൊണ്ടിരുന്നു. (സർഗം എന്ന സിനിമയിലെ ആ രംഗം ഓർമ്മ വരുന്നുണ്ടാകും, അല്ലെ.. ഏതാണ്ട് അതുപോലെ). അധികം നീണ്ടില്ല,അതിനു അനുവദിച്ചില്ല എന്ന് പറയുന്നതാകും ശരി. സ്വാമി അപ്പൂപ്പൻ വിറയാർന്ന കൈകൊണ്ടു അമ്മയെ ചേർത്ത് പിടിച്ചു പറഞ്ഞു. “ആ ചെറുക്കനെ ഒന്നെണീപ്പിച്ചു വിട്, അല്ലെങ്കിൽ അവൻ നാട്ടുകാരെ ഇന്ന് ഒറക്കില്ല! ഇങ്ങനെ ഉണ്ടോ ഒരു കീറൽ?!”
ആ ചെറിയ പന്തലിൽ നിന്ന് അമ്മയുടെ തണുത്ത കയ്യും പിടിച്ചു ഇറങ്ങിയത് ഇപ്പോഴും ഓർമയുണ്ട്. അന്ന് തീർന്നതാ തിരുമേനി, ഈ സ്വാമി അപ്പൂപ്പന്മാരോടുള്ള ബഹുമാനം!
പിന്നെ ഒരു വാശിയാരുന്നു, സംഗീതം പഠിച്ചേ അടങ്ങു. ഒടുവിൽ വയലിൻ പഠിക്കാനായി ചെന്ന് കേറിയത് ഒരു സിങ്കത്തിന്റെ മടയിൽ. മൂന്നുമാസമായിട്ടും അങ്ങേരു എന്നെ വയലിനിൽ ഒന്ന് തൊടീച്ചില്ല! എന്നുമാത്രം അല്ല, ആഗ്രഹം അറിയിച്ചപ്പോൾ പറഞ്ഞു, നീ ആദ്യം സ രി ഗ മ എന്നൊന്ന് തെറ്റാതെ പറഞ്ഞു പടിക്കു, പിന്നെ പാടിപ്പടിക്കണം, എന്നിട്ടല്ലേ വയലിൻ!? ഗുരുവിനെ മുണ്ടു പൊക്കി കാണിച്ചു അന്ന് തുടങ്ങിയ യാത്ര.. സഫറോങ്കി സിന്ദഗി, കബിനഹി കഥം ഖുദം!
ഭഗത് സിങ്, നെപ്പോളിയൻ, കുഞ്ഞാലിമരക്കാർ, ഈ മൂന്ന് പേരും ആണ് എൻ്റെ ഐഡോൾസ്! തോറ്റമ്പിയവർ ആണെങ്കിലും, ജയിക്കാൻ വേണ്ടി പൊരുതിയവർ ആണ്. ഒരിക്കലെങ്കിലും എനിക്ക് ജയിച്ചേ മതിയാകു. സ്കൂളിൽ സബ്ജൂനിയർ ലളിതഗാന മത്സരം നടക്കുന്നു. സ്കൂളിൽ പുതിയതായതു കൊണ്ടും, ആളിനെ അത്രക്കങ്ങട് വശമില്ലാത്തതുകൊണ്ടും, സീനിയർസ് നമ്മളെയും മത്സരിക്കാൻ കേറ്റി. ഗാന്ധി ഹൌസിന്റെ അഭിമാനമാകാൻ ഞാൻ സ്റ്റേജിൽ കയറി “ചിങ്ങ തിരുവോണ സൂര്യോദയം” രണ്ടര കട്ടക്ക് പിടിച്ചങ്ങു പാടി. കറക്റ്റ് ടൈമിൽ പാടി നിർത്തി. ഫുൾ നിശബ്ദത.. സ്റ്റേജിൽ നിന്ന് ഇറങ്ങി വന്ന എന്നോട് അന്നത്തെ മ്യൂസിക് ടീച്ചർ ആയിരുന്ന (ജഡ്ജ് കൂടെ ആയിരുന്നു) ആൻ്റണി സാർ പറഞ്ഞു, ” നീ കറക്റ്റ് ടൈമിംഗ് ആരുന്നു . ഓൺ ടൈം പാടി നിർത്തി. ഒരു രണ്ടു സെക്കന്റ് കൂടെ നീണ്ടിരുന്നേൽ ചിലപ്പോ നീയാ മൈക്ക് അങ്ങ് വിഴുങ്ങിയേനെ!”. ഓ ഡാർകോടു ഡാർക്ക്! നിർത്തി അങ്ങ് അപമാനിക്കുവാരുന്നന്നെ..
സംഗീതം ആദ്യ പ്രണയം പോലെ ആണ്.. അടുക്കാൻ ശ്രമിക്കുന്തോറും അകന്നുകൊണ്ടേയിരിക്കും. എന്തിനും ഒരു അന്ത്യം ഉണ്ടാകണമല്ലോ. കാലങ്ങൾ കഴിഞ്ഞു, ബിൽ ഗേറ്റ്സ് മൈക്രോസോഫ്റ്റ് ഉണ്ടാക്കി, HCL കമ്പ്യൂട്ടർ കണ്ടു പിടിച്ചു, സംഗീതം Smule-ലൂടെ കൂടുതൽ ജനകീയം ആയി. ഒരു അവസാന ശ്രമം എന്ന നിലക്ക് ഞാൻ Smule വെച്ച് ഒന്ന് പാടി. എല്ലാർക്കും ഷെയർ ചെയ്യുന്നതിന് മുന്നേ ഞാൻ തന്നെ ഒന്ന് കേട്ട് നോക്കി. ശിവനെ, ഓർമിപ്പിക്കല്ലേ! പെറ്റ തള്ള സഹിക്കൂല!
സ്വാമി അപ്പൂപ്പനോടും, വയലിൻ മാസ്റ്ററോടും, ആൻ്റണി സാറിനോടും കാൽക്കൽ വീണു മാപ്പപേക്ഷിച്ചുകൊണ്ടു നിർത്തുന്നു! Smule-നു നന്ദി!
Pedaling for a Cure
(After working in Louisville and St. Louis, Praveen moved to Columbus in 2011 with his wife Priya and daughter Gowri. As a family, they enjoy all outdoor activities, whether it’s camping, hiking, biking, or playing tennis. They both hail from the outskirts of the serene city of Trivandrum.)
Pelotonia weekend was vibrant and energetic as over 6,500 riders navigated Central Ohio on routes ranging from 20 to 190 miles. Riders on routes shorter than 100 miles completed their journey in a single day, while those tackling the 155- and 190-mile routes spanned their ride across both Saturday and Sunday. This year’s event, held from August 2-4, kicked off with a lively celebration at McFerson Commons on Friday evening, featuring a performance by the popular indie pop band Clubhouse. Bike check-ins were also available to help riders prepare for their early morning starts the next day.
Participating in Pelotonia was a memorable experience for me—a ride I had hoped to join since moving to Columbus in late 2011. After finally signing up in 2024, I joined my Big Lots team. I had previously taken part in events such as the Susan G. Komen 5K, Fight for Air 40-floor stair climb, and Warrior Dash. Pelotonia was the next challenge on my list, driven by both the demanding ride and the meaningful cause behind it.
Over the past decade, I’ve lost many close relatives to cancer and witnessed others overcome their battles with the disease. This ride was dedicated to all those who lost their lives fighting cancer and to those who fought back with incredible strength. While we often masked our sorrows behind smiles, the support from everyone cheering us on made the experience profoundly emotional.
For this event, I tackled a 50-mile route – thanks to the COMA bike club for helping me find my comfort zone in biking. The ride was filled with participants setting their own pace, and the energy on the course was truly inspiring. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have participated in this year’s ride and to have contributed to the larger cause of finding a cure for cancer.
Summer is in full swing, and there is so much excitement for the 2024 Paris Olympics! All eyes are on Team USA as they prepare for an unforgettable performance, and we are equally thrilled about Team India already securing two medals and aiming for even more.
Meanwhile, the COMA Executive Committee is diligently preparing for one of our biggest events of the year – our Onam celebrations. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your cultural talents and entertain fellow Malayalees. We encourage you to sign up for performances and reach out to the Executive Committee if you’re interested in volunteering for the Onam event. Your support will be vital in making this event a resounding success. This year’s COMA Onam will be on September 7th Saturday. Onam tickets will open up shortly, keep an eye out for that and more details about the event.
Here’s another reminder to renew your COMA annual memberships. Please note that memberships run from July 1st of the current year to June 30th of the following year. COMA Membership for 2024-2025 is now available for purchase on the COMA website!
(Aadhya Pradeesh is a rising 4th grader at Shale Meadows Elementary. She’s the daughter of former EC member Pradeesh Puthiyattil and Aswathi Pradeesh.)
A firey red On their tail The great precise birds
Just so proud Squawking Very loud
Fenix and Torch Their eyes badly hurt People take care of them
Flying so high Are those kings Of our skies
Why teens should do CPR, first aid, and babysitting training – by Lipikha Sreejith
(Lipikha is an avid dreamer, and she enjoys swimming and singing . A foodie at times, she loves to travel. She goes to Hyatts Middle School and is a Red Cross certified baby-sitter. Liphika is the daughter of regular COMA patrons Deepika and Sreejith Chandran.)
Image: Poster created by Liphika using Adobe Express.
The life of a Malayalee American – by Nish Nishant
(Nish is a wannabe writer who has unsuccessfully attempted to make a living as a published author. He lives with his wife Smitha and son Rohan in Worthington, Ohio.)
There is an anecdotal opinion among non-Malayalee Indians that there is no spot on this planet where you would be hard-pressed to find a Malayalee. While I am unsure of the veracity of that theory, Malayalees have certainly flourished in the United States of America. The dichotomy of being both Malayalee and American can often be an interesting experience, and most Malayalees embrace this clash of cultures with a belligerent and yet cheerful approach. I often find myself telling people that I am not just an Indian American but that I am particularly a Malayalee American. Now that may be awfully specific, but my Malayalee identity forms the core of my persona and it’s fairly impossible to look around that.
One of my pet theories as to why Malayalees effortlessly assimilate into American sub-culture is that we don’t have a dietary block when it comes to American food. Kerala is one of the few states in India where any four-legged bovine animal is at any arbitrary point in time at certain risk of being slaughtered and consumed for food. I never get tired of reminding my American friends that unlike their other Indian acquaintances, I have no issues in consuming substantial quantities of filet mignon, pork chops, and bacon. And boy, do we love our liquor or what? I am yet to meet a Malayalee American who wasn’t scholarly about various kinds of wines, scotch whiskies, and beers. We may have travelled half way across the globe to lead new lives, but we’ve taken our fondness and tolerance for booze with us.
Malayalee Americans may listen to Katy Perry and The Black Eyed Peas, but at the faintest hint of a tune by K J Yesudas or K S Chithra, we go back to being Malayalee music enthusiasts. Mohanlal, Mammooty, Suresh Gopi, and Prithviraj continue to occupy the same ranks in our hearts as Tom Cruise, Keanu Reeves, and Bruce Willis. The cliché that you can take a Malayalee out of Kerala, but that you can never entirely take Kerala out of a Malayalee holds surprisingly true. This detail can be quite simply observed at any Malayalee cultural event across America, including events organized by our very own COMA. Kids who were born here and some of who have never set foot in Kerala sing and dance to the beats of popular Malayalam songs. Many of them watch Asianet and Surya TV when they come home from school, although it’s questionable as to whether that’s a great idea these days!
That said, at the end of the day, the one absolute certainty is that we Malayalee Americans are all the same, more or less speaking. Husband and wife looking to grow their careers, hoping to send their children to top colleges, saving up to buy a comfortable home in a nice neighborhood, keeping our weekends free to socialize and have fun with friends and family – yeah, we really are all the same. We are Americans and we are Malayalees, and we are proud of those independent identities. Cheers to all my fellow Malayalee Americans!
[This article was originally published in the COMA souvenir for the 2013 Suresh Gopi show.]
It’s definitely ice cream weather in Ohio and I hope everyone’s staying cool out there! June 2024 will go down in memory for India’s remarkable T20 world cup win. The match was absolutely electrifying and the India T20 team played like champions. Congratulations Team India for the stellar performance!
My sincere apologies for the delay in sending out our June newsletter and thank you for your patience and understanding as we finalized the content.
We’re proud to announce the recent graduation of young COMA adults from The Ohio State University last month. Read on for their graduation updates. Congratulations to our college grads, and best wishes for your future endeavors!
It’s time to renew your COMA annual memberships. Please note that memberships run from July 1st of the current year to June 30th of the following year. COMA Membership for 2024-2025 is now available for purchase on the COMA website!
COMA Onam 2024 Exclusive Realtor Sponsor – Sony Joseph, Realtor
COMA is proud to announce that our very own Mr. Sony Joseph will be the supporter and exclusive realtor sponsor of the 2024 COMA Onam event. Sony Joseph is renowned for his extensive market knowledge, negotiation skills, service, and unmatched devotion to clients. Those planning to buy, sell, or invest in real estate are encouraged to reach out to him for a complimentary consultation.
COMA Summer Picnic – A youth wing perspective – Rianna Shome
(Rianna is a rising senior at Olentangy Liberty High School, where she is an active member of the Girl’s XC and Track teams. In her spare time, she loves to bike, play pickleball, hang out with friends, and watch movies with the fam!)
Being able to have a minor part in the amazing production that was the 2024 COMA picnic was such a wonderful experience and honor. I don’t remember a time in my life where I wasn’t attending COMA functions and being a part of nativity plays with my brother or dances with my friends. However, being able to see a pea size amount of the “behind the scenes” of an event has opened my eyes to the work and planning that goes into them. This year, I joined the COMA Youth Wing which enables kids such as myself to be more involved in the community.
Our first task was to plan games at the COMA picnic for the kids. Our goal was for them to be involved and have fun. Akash and I volunteered to be the “leads”. This meant attending a few COMA calls and organizing the games for the kids. With the other members and help from the committee, we decided to organize the following games: Tug of War, Lime and Spoon, Sack Race.
On the day of the picnic, everyone on the youth committee had different roles. Some handled registrations and others helped out with making sure the games ran smoothly. Akash and I explained the rules of the games and helped with keeping track of the scores. It was so nice to see everyone having fun playing the games and working hard to win. The scorching heat brought out the competitiveness of the color groups which was a sight to see.
I was so glad that I was able to contribute to the picnic because it helped me to get closer to the community, meet new people, and build connections. My experience at the picnic would definitely not have been as great without the other members of the Youth Wing and the hard working members of the COMA Committee. They made it easy for us to be a part of the team. Special shoutout to Girish Uncle for his guidance and support through this valuable experience.
Graduation News
Neelima Gopinath – The Ohio State University
Neelima Gopinath graduated with Honors from The Fisher School of Business at The Ohio State University, specializing in Management Information Systems. She was a part of the Honors Program as well as the Politics, Law, and Society Scholars Program. She also received a minor in Communication Technology. She was active in the business school’s philanthropic organization, FisherCares, and was a member of OSU Inaayat (OSU’s classical dance team). During her time as a student, Neelima worked in various technical departments at OSU and interned at Battelle Memorial Institute. She will be joining Clearsulting, a digital finance consulting firm, this July, as an analyst. She is the daughter of Gopi Haridass (former Vice President and Trustee) and Preethi Gopinath.
Rohan Shome – The Ohio State University
Rohan Shome graduated with honors from the Ohio State University with a bachelors degree in Biology and a minor in Psychology. He is looking forward to pursuing a graduate program in the healthcare field. Rohan is the son of former COMA EC member Sumita Shome and Shome Thomas.
May is high school graduation month – the culmination of years of hard work and dedication for both students and parents. This edition of our newsletter shines a spotlight on the incredible achievements of our graduating high school seniors. Congratulations to the Class of 2024 and wishing you the very best in your future endeavors!
Last month, a group of dedicated COMA patrons ran the Cap City Quarter and Half marathons. Anoop Joseph Babu has penned a captivating writeup of the beautiful journey that led the team triumphantly to the finish line. Congratulations, finishers! It’s a true testament to your passion and unwavering spirit!
As the school year comes to an end and summer vacations begin, many of you may be eagerly planning visits to family in India or exciting getaways. Wishing you all safe travels and memorable adventures, and may you return rejuvenated from your journeys. For those remaining in Ohio, wishing you a delightful summer and unforgettable moments!
— Smitha Nishant
Tuskers Running Club – Anoop Joseph Babu
(Anoop lives in Dublin with his wife Neethu and two kids. He’s an avid badminton and cricket player, and a big fan of running and soccer.)
The date was April 27th, 2024. It was a cool cloudy morning, and a stiff breeze was blowing. The energy around was palpable as 11,000 odd people converged on downtown Columbus for the Cap City Half Marathon. There we were among that sea of humanity, more than fifty of us from Team Tuskers, boisterously chatting away, being loud as ever, ready to run what was, for many of us, our first marathon. Of course, what event is complete without some Malayali participation?
All this started a few months back when Austin Pereira embarked on creating a “Columbus Tuskers marathon runners’ group” with the (one would have thought) unrealistic goal of getting COMA members off their couches and in their running shoes, that too in the middle of the Ohio winter.
Then, lo behold, something magical started happening, the group started swelling as, one by one, folks joined, inspired maybe by overindulgences during Thanksgiving and Christmas (like yours truly) or truly to challenge themselves.
The plan was to run every Saturday, and run we did, puffing and panting, cramping, and straining. There were the regulars, and every week we saw more new faces. With Austin’s tireless encouragement and enthusiasm, the engagement we saw was truly amazing and I would like to think it motivated us all. It was not all pain, we had fun together. We saw the trees transform from bare branches to leaves and flowers, and the silence replaced by chirping of birds, as we ran through the barrenness of winter into the green of spring. Slowly but surely, we started to run better and further, pushing our body and mind a bit more every time.
Back to race day, as our group was allowed to start, each of us knew that it would be a test of the body and more importantly the mind, it would not be easy, exactly the reason why we signed up. The nervous energy and euphoria carry you through the first couple of miles and then it starts. The duel between the body that wants to stop and the mind that keeps pushing it forward. The miles went by slowly, the terrain changed, the climbs became steeper and tougher, the clouds parted, and the sun shone, we cramped and felt drained at times, but we soldiered on, the body finding the rhythm it was seeking, one foot in front of the other, one deep breath after another.
More than a couple of hours and 12 miles later, we faced what was to be the final obstacle, a steep double peaked incline, testing mettle and strength. With ragged breaths and dogged determination, we climbed until we could see the final stretch and the finish line tantalizingly far away. The emotion I felt (which we all probably shared) was a mix of pride, happiness, and relief as the mind willed the body, pushing it forward until we breached the finish line.
Once the initial wave of elation, exhaustion, and pain had passed and the selfies were taken, the realization hit. We had done it, something that seemed but a distant possibility had been achieved, the distance had been run. And as someone once said, it is not the distance you must conquer in running .. it is yourself. And we, each in our own way, had done it.
Go Tuskers!!
A special thank you to Austin Pereira for all the encouragement and co-ordination. We would not have done this if not for you. A special thank you to Thomas Oommen as well for the advice, motivation, and inspiration you provided for a lot of us first time runners.
Health tips for runners – Dr Rajesh Rajan
(Rajesh Rajan is a Nephrologist who also manages Infuse One (an infusion/Botox center). He is from Pandalam, Kerala. He grew up in New York and moved to Columbus in 2022. He lives in Liberty Township with his wife Mauja, kids Devika and Dhinan, and puppy Meeka.)
As many of you are going to embark on running for leisure or for marathons, I strongly recommend that you get an annual physical and run the blood work that comes with it. Most insurance covers this as part of wellness check at no cost (but please check with your insurance first).
Usually basic blood work is done looking at electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium, calcium – all which can lead to muscle cramps if deficient. Hemoglobin and iron levels can be checked if you have any symptoms of fatigue. Plus many other pointers on your health. So, I highly recommend each one of you to go for a wellness check.
In addition, stretching is key to prevent injuries and so is proper hydration.
For the newcomers, it is essential to build up on your run – starting at a low pace (target a zone 2 heart rate or running/ jogging at a pace where you are able to have a conversation).
Lastly, if you are experiencing any pain, do not ignore it as it may be related to footwear, muscle imbalances, or ineffective stretching. Our goal is to have fun but not get injured.
Happy running!!!
Graduation News
Abhinav Muthiraparambath
Abhinav is set to graduate with an honors diploma at Olentangy Liberty High School as the Valedictorian of the class of 2024. With aspirations to pursue a career in medicine, he’s carefully considering his options, including a pre-med program at Johns Hopkins University majoring in public health studies and a seven-year BS/MD track at the University of South Florida. Abhinav’s accolades include academic achievements such as being recognized as a National Merit commended scholar, recipient of the Governor’s Merit Scholarship, and membership in both the National Honors Society and Spanish Honor Society. Additionally, he actively engages in research at The Ohio State University and shares his passion for science by teaching children through Be WISE. Beyond academics, he’s displayed dedication and skill as a three-year lettered wrestler for Olentangy Liberty High School. Abhinav is the son of Ashish and Sangeetha Muthiraparambath.
Aedin Pereira
Aedin Pereira, son of Austin and Deepa Pereira, graduated from Olentangy Liberty High School with Summa Cum Laude, Honors Diploma, and AP Scholar with Distinction. He attended the prestigious Ross Mathematics Camp and Honors Summer Math Camp, where he researched and published a paper on AI in Bioinformatics. Aedin founded and led the first and only statewide virtual Math Circle during COVID. He is a 4-year varsity rower who competed in the 2021 US Youth National Rowing Championship Finals. Aedin served as Captain of the Liberty High School Speech & Debate team, qualifying for US Debate Nationals. He also served as President of the Student Council and the Service Club, and is a member of the National Honor Society. Aedin plans to attend Columbia University in the fall.
Arya Janardhanan
Arya graduated Summa Cum Laude from Dublin Jerome High School. She will be attending Otterbein University majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She is a recipient of the President’s Scholarship and will be participating in the Pre-Med Early Assurance Program. She was COMA’s Youth Wing President last year. She is also the founder and President of her school’s Neuroscience club. She has been volunteering at Marysville Memorial Hospital for the past 2 years. Arya is the daughter of Anuja and Ajayan Janardhanan (former COMA president).
Awards
National Merit Scholar
Valedictorian
International HOSA qualifier
President’s Education award
Diploma with Honors
President’s Volunteer Service award
Adithya Arun
Adithya Arun is graduating on May 19th from Olentangy Orange High School. He will be attending The Ohio State University and plans to major in Computer Information Systems. He’s the son of Ramya Kalyadan (Priya) and Arun Radhakrishnan.
April showers may bring May flowers, and for our Malayalee community, they usher in much-loved festivals like Easter, Vishu, and Ramadan. I trust you all had the chance to celebrate these with friends and family.
May is high school graduation month, and the next edition of our newsletter will feature 2024 graduating seniors from the community. If you would like your senior to be featured in the COMA newsletter, please share their details along with a senior portrait with our EC team. Kindly send the information to coma.officials@gmail.com.
A dedicated group of Malayalees has been training for the OhioHealth Capital City Half and Quarter Marathons over the past few months. The group leader, Austin Pereira, has done an admirable job coordinating the training runs. The 56 strong team is gearing up for their finest performance yet on race day that is on Saturday, April 27th. Here’s to wishing each and every one of the runners the very best!
(Girish lives in New Albany with his wife Divya and two children, Gautham and Diksha. He works in the IT industry and has been active in various social engagements nationally. He hails from Trivandrum.)
I would like to share a recent experience of a great opportunity that me and my son (Gautham Girish) got to attend: a joint session at the Executive Office of the White House, for an immigration advocacy initiative.
For the past 5 years, I have been collaborating with various organizations on immigration advocacy initiatives for the welfare of Employment-Based immigrants, specifically H1B and L1 category of applicants and dependents. I am sure most of you are aware either directly or indirectly about the various challenges being faced by EB (Employment Based Visa) families, being on a long wait to process Green Cards, visa stampings, or dependent related job issues. Despite various legislative efforts being initiated in the congress for more than a decade, it’s a sad reality that there is no solution yet to resolve the broken immigration system. My personal goal is to continue to keep our voices heard in the best ways we can, by collaborating with various organizations or panel members to help us find a solution for the EB community, to overcome their uncertainties, and to provide a peaceful life for their families and children.
As part of the ongoing efforts, I was successful in establishing relationships with various committee members and the counsel of the House and Senate. As a result, we finally got an opportunity to get introduced to the executives of the White House Immigration team. We requested a joint session with USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services), to talk through some of the ongoing problems, and to request/explore for some temporary solutions due to the current political situation in the congress. My son was included to represent children who will potentially face challenges to continue their education and their career path beyond 21 years of age. We also had a senior immigration attorney from Georgia join our panel to talk through the legal aspects of the situation. The meeting was very successful by having the Senior Advisor of USCIS Director along with White House officials listening to our concerns, and they have promised to explore temporary measures while Congress continues to make efforts for major law changes.
It was such a proud moment to represent more than a million Employment-Based immigrants, and we are committed to have follow up conversations till we see a successful outcome. If anyone would like to be part of such initiatives and make your voices heard, you are more than welcome to reach out to me anytime.
COMA Meals on Wheels : Quarter 1 update – Nish Nishant
(Nish Nishant lives in Worthington, OH with his wife Smitha and son Rohan, and coordinates the COMA Meals on Wheels program.)
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the dedicated volunteers who have generously given their time and effort to support the COMA Meals on Wheels program this year. Your unwavering commitment and compassion have made a significant difference in the lives of those in our community who rely on this vital service. Your selflessness and dedication embody the spirit of community and kindness that COMA symbolizes. Thank you for making a meaningful impact through the COMA Meals on Wheels routes.
If you’d like to volunteer for COMA Meals on Wheels, please reach out to the EC team.
Know your EC team – Yoga Venu (2024 General Secretary)
A humble kid innocently asked the universe, “Hey, if you’ve got my life all figured out, why bother praying?” And what does the universe do? Universe politely responds with a metaphorical reflection, linking one’s life to the pages of a book, each event scripted with the directive to “let it happen as per your wish.”
Yes! Despite the predetermined course set forth by the universe, it is our beliefs and thoughts that would shape our destiny!
This sense of realization ignited a flame of empowerment within me, prompting a shift towards “positive thinking” and “believing in myself”.
And then, out of the blue, I find myself with COMA, being part of EC 2024 as General Secretary.
Yep, that’s right. Me, Yoga Venu, born and raised in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Being a blend of Tamil and Malayalam cultures, I’m like the ultimate cultural cocktail and my roots are from Kuttipuram, Malapuram district in Kerala. Like many of you, Pazhampori and Kappa & Meen Curry are my weaknesses.
Reflecting on my academic pursuits, I always question myself why I had troubled myself with such rigor, when perhaps a gentler approach would have sufficed. I apparently took my academics a little more serious than needed. Nevertheless, the lessons gleaned from this introspection paved the way for personal growth and enlightenment.
After three decades of sipping filter coffee in Chennai, in 2016, I decided to shake things up and move to the dream land of many. Of course I am one of them!
They say, the US is like “Actor Rajinikanth”; you might not get it at first, but eventually you will throw confetti at it! Let me tell you, I felt the same when I landed in the States. However, the initial disorientation gave way to the unexpected sense of belonging.
First stop, New Jersey and Chicago – where the pizzas are deep and the winters are deeper. But then, I landed in Columbus Ohio. Ah, Columbus – the land of conservative vibes and slow living. It’s like the universe said, “Hey you have been running like a headless chicken, why not chill here for a bit?”
And here I am, chilling in Columbus for the past 8 years, with my daughter, Chetana alias Ishika Menon, who’s 20, going on 200 with her wisdom.
Because, when life throws you curveballs, you just gotta roll with it, having your choices and convictions as the influencers!
I am still recovering from the exhilarating experience of COMA’s 2024 inaugural event, “Kaliyattom”. The all day event was a resounding success. Enthusiastic participation and fierce competition made the games event truly memorable for the participants. Congratulations to all the winners, and best wishes to everyone else who participated for next time.
The cultural programs showcased captivating dance performances, a magic show, trivia, and the comedy skit was a hilarious addition. The unique glow party that followed was undeniably a hit with all ages. Thank you to the Executive Committee of 2024 for organizing such an enjoyable event!
If you missed the event, please use the links below for the event highlights, photos, and videos.
Cornhole Winner: Anjan Harishankar Runner-up: Jiya Jay
COMA Onam Sadya Coordination – A behind the scenes introspective – Valsan Palika
(Valsan is a long time resident of Columbus and a very active member of the Malayalee community. He lives in Lewis Center with wife Vijaya and two children, Hrishikesh and Niranjan. He hails from Kannur.)
Onam is Kerala’s most significant festival, marking the pinnacle of our annual celebrations. Legend has it that Kerala once thrived under the benevolent rule of King Mahabali of great wisdom and compassion. His era was characterized by fairness and prosperity, ensuring the well-being of his subjects, or ‘praja,’ to the utmost degree. His strength and popularity made even the Gods envious, and he was sent to the depths of ‘Pathalam’ by Vamana. It is believed that Mahabali visits us each year during Onam, symbolizing the spirit of unity cherished by Keralites. The festival is during the Malayalam month of Chingam, which is around August or September. It lasts for about ten days, and the main day is called Thiru Onam. This is when everyone takes part in lots of rituals, celebrations, and cultural events to mark the occasion.
Back home, Onam events are packed with various activities like Puli Kali, Thiruvathira Kali, and Vallam Kali, in addition to the traditional Pookkalam and Onam Sadya. Here in Columbus, we enjoy a day packed with cultural activities, beautiful Pookkalam designs, a traditional delicious Ona Sadya served in vazha ila, and the cherished visit of Mahabali. We even had Pulikali during our 2023 Onam celebrations! Vallam Kali may be planned soon! It is heartwarming to see Malayalee women, men, and children dressed in traditional attire, singing Onam songs, and showcasing other talents, sharing Onam memories, and relishing the Sadya together; it transports us back to Kerala on that day!
History
It all began several years ago with just a few Malayalee families from Columbus and Dayton coming together in Columbus to celebrate Onam as a community event. With hundreds of families moving to Columbus in recent years, it has evolved into the biggest gala event organized by COMA, bringing together the entire community in celebration!
The COMA Onam celebration is thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by the community, becoming a cherished highlight of the year. Finding a suitable venue, coordinating cultural events, organizing a traditional Sadya, and managing the flow of events on the day are all incredibly complex tasks that require careful planning and coordination. The event’s resounding success is attributed to the meticulous planning and execution by the COMA executive committee, drawing from continuous learnings from past events. A vast volunteer base for COMA works tirelessly for weeks leading up to the event, ensuring its seamless realization.
Having been part of the volunteer group organizing COMA events for over 25 years, I can attest that organizing Onam is no small feat. It stands out as the most complex event to coordinate, largely due to the intricate arrangements needed for the Sadya, the centerpiece of the celebration. Here, I’ll delve into the details of how the Sadya is planned and executed.
In the early years, the Sadya was entirely dependent on volunteer efforts, with the number of guests estimated beforehand. However, this approach posed two significant challenges: the risk of either shortages or excess of Sadya items, and the potential for missing dishes if a volunteer assigned to cook a particular item couldn’t attend the event. Over the years, several incremental enhancements have been adopted to address these challenges and refine the Sadya planning process to its current, mature state.
Planning
The success of the Sadya hinges on three crucial factors:
Accurate Guest Count: Ensuring an accurate count of guests, including children, is essential to guarantee there is sufficient food for everyone. This involves thorough planning and communication to gather RSVPs and anticipate attendance accurately. Our EC does a fantastic job in communicating early and getting the expected attendance well in advance of the event.
Reliable Vendor Selection: Finding a trustworthy vendor to prepare the Sadya is paramount. This vendor must be capable of delivering high-quality, authentic dishes in the required quantity and within the specified timeframe. Thorough vetting and negotiation are essential to secure a reliable partnership. Indeed, the availability of vendors specializing in authentic Kerala dishes is a significant challenge as locally, there is only one such vendor available. Starting a local business that offers Kerala cuisine presents a promising opportunity to meet the demand for authentic dishes!
Timely Service: Serving the complete Sadya in a timely fashion to the entire crowd is critical for guest satisfaction. This requires efficient coordination among volunteers, vendors, and event organizers to ensure smooth and prompt delivery of the dishes, maintaining the integrity and freshness of the meal.
The Sadya
Onam Sadya is a lavish feast comprising a wide array of dishes, each adding its unique flavor and texture to the meal, satisfying to different tastes you have. While the exact dishes may vary based on regional preferences and personal taste, some common dishes and savories include:
Avial: A mixed vegetable curry cooked in coconut gravy, seasoned with curry leaves and coconut oil. The story of the origins of Avial is indeed an intriguing one from the Indian epic Mahabharata. According to the legend, Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers, disguised himself as a cook named Vallalan during their exile in the forest. One day, unexpected guests arrived, he gathered whatever vegetables and leftover ingredients he had, cooked them together to create a delicious dish, which became known as Avial.
Ghee & Parippu Curry: This is the first course. One of the distinctive features of Parippu Curry is its adaptability to regional variations and personal preferences. While the basic recipe remains consistent, different regions and households may add their unique twists by incorporating ingredients like grated coconut, garlic, ginger, or even vegetables like pumpkin or ash gourd. Some may opt for a smoother consistency, while others prefer a slightly chunky texture. It is extremely hard to serve a Parippu Curry that satisfies everyone!
Kaalan, Olan, Pulissery, Pachadi, Thoran(s), and Koottu are indeed essential components of an authentic Onam Sadya, each offering unique flavors and textures to the feast. Additionally, Pappadam, pickles, pazham and varuthupperi serve as the perfect accompaniments to the Sadya, adding extra crunch, tanginess, and spice to the feast.
While Sambar and Rasam may not be traditionally exclusive to Kerala cuisine, they have become integral parts of Onam Sadya due to their popularity and versatility in South Indian cuisine.
Prathaman and Payasams indeed stand as the crowning glory of the Onam Sadya, offering a delightful end to the meal. There are several varieties such as ada prathaman, parippu prathaman, chakka prathaman, pal payasam, and palada (names and exact preparation varies).
Together, these dishes form a symphony of flavors and textures, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Kerala and making Onam Sadya a truly memorable culinary experience. Overall, Onam is a joyous occasion that brings people together, irrespective of caste, creed, or religion, to celebrate the spirit of unity, prosperity, and happiness. It is a time to cherish traditions, create lasting memories, and spread love and goodwill among all.
Catering
A significant amount of work happens behind the scenes to ensure the successful serving of the Sadya, which is the most critical aspect of Onam celebrations. A dedicated group of lead volunteers and executive committee representatives initiates the planning process several months prior to the event day.
Identifying vendors, primarily restaurants specializing in traditional Kerala cuisine, is a meticulous process for us. We consider factors such as reputation, reliability, food quality, and cost-effectiveness. We meet with them to discuss our requirements, negotiate pricing, and finalize agreements. Authenticity and taste are paramount, so we always taste and affirm the quality before finalizing the contract, especially if the vendor is new to us. We pay close attention to the timing of preparation, delivery, packaging, and transportation to ensure freshness, timely delivery, and ease of serving.
Looking ahead, we are exploring novel options for future events. One exciting idea is COMA organizing a community cooking event for Onam Sadya. Here, skilled and interested volunteers can come together for a fun night of preparing the Sadya themselves! This not only fosters community spirit but also allows us to showcase our culinary talents and traditions in a more hands-on way. If you have the skill and interest, please feel free to reach out to organizers well in advance of the next Onam!
Serving
A detailed and organized Sadya serving plan is prepared. Volunteers are assigned specific tasks, led by experienced team members. A schedule ensures tasks are completed on time.
Food Reception and Setup: Volunteers receive, label, and store food from vendors. Then the team arranges the food counters in the dining area and sets up serving utensils.
Serving: Volunteers serve the item portions out of each dish onto banana leaves.
Table Organization: Organizers ensure guest comfort and supply tables with necessities.
Cleanup: A dedicated crew maintains cleanliness throughout the event and ensures tables are ready to set up for the next ‘pandhis’ quickly.
There are several other things to be arranged and kept ready for serving the Sadya. These include banana Leaves to serve the Sadya in traditional way. Ample quantities of serving utensils, plates, glasses, napkins, and cleaning supplies are arranged.
This structured approach ensures a seamless and enjoyable Sadya experience for all guests.
We visit the event venue to assess suitability for hosting the Sadhya, considering factors like space, seating capacity, accessibility, and facilities. A floor plan is prepared detailing the layout of dining tables, food stations, serving areas, and guest seating arrangements, keeping in mind compliance with safety regulations, and obtaining necessary permits or permissions if required. We also plan for contingencies with a mitigation plan. The venue set up is completed with the help of volunteers on the previous night before the event – including setting up tables, cleaning the banana leaves, etc. The event and excitement start a day early for the volunteers!
Onam Day
On the day of the event, all preparations culminate in a vibrant celebration. Volunteers arrive early at the venue to receive food from vendors and ensure it is stored correctly. The setup of the venue and tables is thoroughly reviewed for a smooth service, and food items are transferred to serving containers. The banana leaf, or vazha ila, is laid out, and servers serve condiments and Sadya items in a specific order. Guests are seated orderly, and rice, parippu, and other main items are served. Each item is served multiple times to ensure guests’ satisfaction. Towards the end, varieties of payasam are served, typically by youth volunteers, either in cups, or in the banana leaf for those who prefer a more traditional experience.
It brings immense satisfaction to the organizers and volunteers to see guests enjoying and savoring the satisfying Sadya. The vibrant colors of the dishes, the aromatic spices, and the joyful chatter of friends and family create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Their smiles and expressions of satisfaction reflect the shared joy of the occasion. It’s a testament to the rich culinary heritage and hospitality of Kerala, bringing people together to celebrate and enjoy the simple pleasures of good food and good company. Knowing that we’ve played a part in creating memorable experiences and fostering a sense of community and joy fills us with pride and fulfillment. It’s moments like these that remind us why we come together year after year to celebrate the richness of our culture and traditions during Onam.
The work for volunteers continues even after every guest has enjoyed their Sadya. They are responsible for cleaning up the venue, setting tables and chairs back to their original arrangement, tidying up the kitchen area, removing trash, and ensuring all utensils are cleaned and returned to their proper places. Additionally, any rented or borrowed items need to be accounted for and returned to their respective vendors. This post-event cleanup is just as crucial as the preparations beforehand, ensuring that the venue is left in pristine condition and ready for the next event. It’s the dedication and hard work of these volunteers that contribute to the overall success and smooth running of the Onam celebration.
Final Thoughts
Year after year, we refine and improve our processes based on past experience to ensure our guests have a fantastic Sadya experience and that the serving is completed within the scheduled duration. This not only ensures that cultural events start on time but also keeps the plan of Onam events on schedule. By learning from past successes and challenges, we continuously enhance our efficiency and effectiveness, ultimately contributing to the seamless and enjoyable celebration of Onam for everyone involved. This tradition of improvement and knowledge transfer is passed from one executive committee to the next, ensuring continuity and growth in our organizational efforts. There is also a dedicated pool of organizers and volunteers, whose numbers increase year after year, with unwavering commitment, ensuring the seamless execution of Onam and other COMA events. Their growing passion and dedication contribute to the smooth coordination and successful implementation of the celebration.
A Comparative Primer on the Films of Mrinal Sen and Ritwik Ghatak – Part 2 – Sandeep Ravindranath
(Sandeep Ravindranath is a student of the audiovisual arts. He has served as a live sound engineer for such acts as Chitravina Ravi Kiran, Nagai Muralidharan, The Carnatica Brothers, Ustad Shahed Pervez Khan and Steve Gorn among others. As an on-location sound recordist, his work on the Lebanese film What Remains was shortlisted for the Student BAFTA in 2018. He holds a Master’s degree in Music Technology from New York University and was a programmer analyst for Sony Music in Manhattan.
His directorial venture The Bookshelf dealt with the subject of growing intolerance in India and was commissioned by Perumal Murugan’s Kalachuvadu and Indira Chandrasekhar’s Tulika. In 2016, Sandeep was offered a full scholarship in the direction program at Columbia College Chicago where his thesis film Diary of an Outsider received Jury invitation from the Directors Guild of America to its Student Awards. To date, his shorts Lullaby, The Bookshelf, Santhana Gopala, Diary of an Outsider and Sub Brothers have screened at over 120 film festivals in 21 countries winning numerous awards along the way. His latest short, Anthem for Kashmir, launched by Anand Patwardhan and T.M. Krishna was censored by the right wing government of India.
Sandeep lives in Dublin, Ohio.)
The Trilogies
After Baishey Sravan, Sen would use the idea of famine again, briefly in Calcutta 71 (1972) and in Akaler Sandhane (In Search of Famine, 1980). All three instances reveal Mrinal Sen as an artist who studied the social and political ferment of his times and informed on them in his art, reincarnating each time with a world of fresh realizations. Calcutta 71 was the second film in his overtly political phase of filmmaking that began with the film Interview (1970). It was a reflection of the violent mood of Calcutta youth at that period of time – the Naxalite movement was at its height and Sen channeled that restlessness into an avant-garde filmmaking that defied the existing Indian cinematic conventions by mixing Brechtian alienation, the cinema verite style, and a non-narrative structure. All the films of this phase – Interview, Calcutta 71, Padatik and Chorus (the first three are known as his Calcutta Trilogy but it could easily be a tetralogy) are characterized by stylistic experimentation where form takes precedence over the dynamism of the thematic entity.
Calcutta 71 was an ideological extension of Interview, both elaborating a Marxist view of class exploitation, poverty, and hunger, resulting in a bitter commentary on the human predicament. Padatik (The Guerilla Fighter, 1973) on the other hand, made a direct political statement by probing those same Marxist values for its contradictions and asserting the need for a timely reassessment. Needless to say, the crowd that sang Mrinal Sen’s praise after Calcutta 71 called him a traitor after Padatik. Padatik was followed by Chorus (1974) which returned to the political philosophy of the earlier two films in the trilogy but was modeled as a satirical re-enactment this time, ending on a note of open revolt.
Padatik is the only film in the Calcutta Trilogy (and Chorus) without a disjunctive narrative structure revealing a distinct beginning, middle, and end. However, this structure is still “interrupted” using the stylistic devices employed in the French New Wave including freeze frames and jump cuts. There are flashbacks and found footage from two foreign films – the Argentinian revolutionary activist film, Hours of the Furnace and Joris Ivens’ documentary on the Vietnam war. There is even an entire sequence where one of the central characters in the film asks several women in a very news-reporting style, questions dealing with women’s empowerment in contemporary Indian society. Many have found these experiments in the Calcutta Trilogy distinctly Godardian and Satyajit Ray was particularly critical calling it an over indulgence in the empty ideological and stylistic posturing of European new wave cinema . While Ray himself has a trilogy on Calcutta (comprising the films Pratidwandi, Seemabaddha and Jana Aranya) that draw comparisons with Mrinal Sen’s trilogy, it is the structural experiments that mark the differences between the two. The question that Jonathan Rosenbaum asks of Luis Bunuel, “how does a sworn enemy of the bourgeois keep his identity while devoting himself to a bourgeois form [narrative cinema] in a bourgeois industry [film industry]?”, is apt for Sen as well. The answer is, “either by subverting these forms or by trying to adjust them to his own purposes.”
Ghatak’s Partition Trilogy – Meghe Dhaka Tara (The Cloud-Capped Star, 1960), Komal Gandhar (The Gandhar Sublime, 1961) and Subarnarekha (The Golden Line, 1962), was the cinematic representation of the socioeconomic implications of the Partition. With these films, he illustrated the mindset of the refugees of Partition by relentlessly drawing the audience into the time and space of those left homeless and crumbling on the faded outskirts of a nation.
Meghe Dhaka Tara was an allegory for the traumatic consequences of the partition of Bengal, capturing the disintegration of a Bengali family as a result of dislocation, poverty, self-interest, and petty internal division. An impoverished family living in a refugee slum after the partition of Bengal struggles for survival and the self-sacrificing protagonist, Nita, has to give up her college studies in order to work. Through many twists and turns of the plot, she becomes the sole earning member of the family. Her elder brother Shankar, who would normally be the head of the household is irresponsible, spending his days singing, dreaming of one day becoming a great singer. He leaves for Bombay soon after, to pursue his singing career returning only at the end of the film. By this time he is an accomplished singer who has become wealthy. However, his ascent to professional and material success has come at the cost of a commensurate decline in Nita’s well being who is now wasting away with a terminal illness.
Striking in Meghe Dhaka Tara is Ghatak’s embrace of the melodramatic style which his background in theatre clearly contributed to. Far from seeing it as pejorative, Ghatak in an article defends melodrama calling it a “much-abused genre,” going on to say in a 1974 interview that “I am not afraid of melodrama, to use melodrama is one’s birthright – it is a form.” The success of Meghe Dhaka Tara, however, is that this melodrama isn’t pure escapism or pure heart-wringing sentimentality but that it exudes a tough, realist sadness – it is his paean to women’s boundless courage and strength, and an indictment of an opportunistic and oppressive social structure.
While Ghatak is known for his eccentric style, his use of the expressionist soundtrack on Meghe Dhaka Tara is certainly bold and experimental. Providing a commentary on the narrative action, Nita’s misery is accompanied by the sound of a whiplash and a hissing sound fades up and down whenever her mother walks into the picture.
In Komal Gandhar, Ghatak merged the motif of fragmentation of a revolutionary cultural movement with a broader motif, the fragmentation of a people. The disintegration of the IPTA and the ideals that it once stood for, had left its mark on Ghatak. The film brought with it an overwhelming nostalgia for the IPTA days where the protagonists struggle to find a new identity in a fast-changing environment as old values crumble. With Subarnarekha, Ghatak provides a prophetic glimpse of the future where post-independence optimism gives way to the harsh realities and disintegrating moral values that are inextricable parts of the civilized urban society. The story of Ishwar and Sita, two of a large, floating population of refugees immediately after independence, it is a bitter tale that mercilessly exposes the canker within.
The archetype of the mother dominates Ghatak’s films and Subarnarekha is no exception with the reconstruction of the Puranic tale of goddess Sati in the character of Sita. In that tale, Sati immolates herself through the fire of her concentration in order to satisfy the ethics of good womanhood because her father Daksha, is greatly opposed to Sati’s husband Shiva whom Daksha believes to be beneath their social status. In Subarnarekha, Ishwar represents Daksha, for he is a surrogate father to Sita and much like Daksha, Ishwar also has an intense dislike for her husband Abhiram because of his lower caste. With the exception of Ajantrik, all Ghatak films from the 1950s and ‘60s show a compulsive engagement with the sister-brother relationship. Thus we have Sita-Ramu of Nagarik, Mini-Kanchan of Bari Theke Paliye, Nita-Shankar of Meghe Dhaka Tara, Anasuya-Pakhi of Komal Gandhar, and Sita-Ishwar of Subarnarekha. As the film critic Moinak Biswas points out , “it is consistent with the ‘obsession’ with the mother archetype in [these] films that the brother and sister should form the primary basis of love.”
The music used in Subarnarekha is another critical aspect. Sita sings a Tagore song much like Nita in Meghe Dhaka Tara. The song, which describes the rural Bengal landscape is used to illustrate the innocence and openness of the world of children and to serve as a counterpoint to the degraded and restricted environment of Sita and Ishwar as adults. Another piece of music used in the film – the one in the party scene and Sita’s suicide scene, is the same music from the orgy scene in Fellini’s La Dolce Vita. Ghatak in an essay writes, “There are times when a tune used in a film by someone else is used to make an observation, the way I myself have done. The music that accompanies the scene of orgy at the end of La Dolce Vita, where Fellini lashes out at the whole of Western civilization, is known as Patricia. I sought to make a similar statement in my Subarnarekha about my own land, this Bengal, so sparkling with intellect. So I have used the same music in the bar scene [and in Sita’s suicide scene], to make a suggestion. The music helped me say a lot of things.”
Later Films
Sen returned to the backdrop of famine once again in Akaler Sandhane (In Search of Famine, 1980), this time in the self-introspection phase of his filmmaking. The films starting with Ekdin Pratidin (And Quiet Rolls the Dawn, 1979) to Khandhar (The Ruins, 1983), move away from the anger and bitter satire of his earlier phase to develop an attitude of concern and compassion for the urban middle class of Calcutta bound by their narrow conventions and false moral values. Sen now felt the need to retreat into himself and analyze – “what I used to do before was to locate my enemy outside me. Now I’m trying to find my enemy within myself, to point my accusing finger at myself.”
Akaler Sandhane is a story of confrontations at different levels – between urban and rural culture, between a tragic past and a potentially tragic present, between cinematic illusion and the reality it claims to present, between an artist and his exploitative instincts which he disguises in the garb of creativity. The film is about a film crew going to a remote village of Bengal to make a film on famine. Sen’s humor is evident in this film where at one point, the film crew with its incessant consumption causes a shortage of meat and produce in the village, resulting in a mini-famine there.
The other films in this phase also tackle such contradictions. Kharij (The Case is Closed, 1982), is a subtle understated exposure of bourgeois compromise and the deliberate self-imposed blindness to the reality that makes such a compromise possible. The film uses the death of a child servant as a political symbol, to ponder upon themes of morality and social class, examining the disparity that exists between the lower and middle classes of Calcutta. In the film, a middle-class family employs a young boy as their house servant – a seemingly normal thing to do in Indian homes even today. In a twist of fate, the boy then dies from carbon monoxide poisoning. As far as a plot setup is concerned, this is all that happens in the film. The narrative then turns into a study of how the middle-class society addresses this particular event.
The film opens with a conversation between an unseen couple in the back of a taxicab as the man offers to buy the woman anything she desires – a new apartment, a car, wardrobe, a television set – all invaluable necessities of happy urban living. In the next scene, the woman, visible this time, suggests another commodity – a house servant who can help break coal for the stove, run errands, and be an attendant and playmate to their young son. The attitude of entitlement and commodification is thus foretold in the film’s opening sequence highlighting materialistic privilege as an agent of indifference, discrimination, insularity, and exploitation.
In another particularly revealing sequence that examines the idea of morality, the homeowner asks for advice from a lawyer on the legal implications of the matter. The homeowner claims that the boy had always been treated as a member of the family. His disingenuous words are rebutted by the lawyer who points out that the boy used to sleep under the stairs, was given very little money, and was ultimately regarded as inferior – any positive interaction from the family was minimal, thus making them active participants in the event. The lawyer, however, confesses that ultimately “the legal lie will prevail over the moral truth.” Sen thus exposes a culture of collective accountability, where exploitation of the poor and the weak are rationalized not only by economic necessity but also socially enabled by an implied complicity that reinforces the status quo.
For a narrative that deals with the subject matter of class, and particularly the exploitation of servants, it would be very easy to descend into ideological rhetoric or sentimentalized melodrama. Sen, however, avoids both. He sharply contrasts the dead boy with the privileged and protected son of the homeowner and maintains a pervasive sense of uncertainty – an uncertainty of conflict between social classes, that pushes the story forward. Without a single line of preaching, the highly nuanced narrative finds the dead boy’s father and another servant boy in the building – representatives of the ‘lower’ class coming through in the end as more dignified than their ‘upper’ class employers.
Khandhar (The Ruins, 1983) explores another guilt and another betrayal – a young man from the city brings along two of his friends, a writer, and a photographer, for a weekend visit to his dilapidated country estate where his cousin Jamini lives, a prisoner of the forgotten past, with her blind and ailing mother. For Subhash, the professional photographer, the encounter with Jamini becomes fraught with the very idea of exploitation and guilt – he takes pictures of her and the sprawling ruins, distancing himself however from any emotional responsibility of participating in Jamini’s painful reality. He returns to the safety of the city, dissociating himself from the experience and relegating Jamini to the one-dimensional prison of a photograph on the wall of his studio. For Mrinal Sen, Subhash is his alter-ego when he says, “I too am intruding with my picture-making machines into the unbearable lives of others, building up a relationship with the young and the old. And then, after finishing the film, I pack up my machines, gather my men and come back to the city, to my tidy, organized room.” Khandhar is then, another exercise in self-introspection, another attempt to understand the foibles of his own time, his own class in the context of a highly personalized cinematic experience.
The memories and nostalgia of his childhood and early youth spent in east Bengal (now Bangladesh) drew Ghatak towards making his penultimate film Titash Ekti Nadir Naam (A River Called Titash, 1973). Based on a Bengali novel of the same title, the film revolves around the life of a fishing community on the banks of the river Titash. The river that gives life to the community steadily dries up, but the protagonist, dying of thirst on its sandy bed dreams of a new life. This assertion of life in the midst of calamity, exploitation, and deprivation is a recurring motif in Ghatak’s films. In Titash Ekti Nadir Naam, it expresses itself throughout the film in the simple joys and sorrows of a people living in daily communion with the river. The song of Lalon Shah, a mendicant poet of the nineteenth century, sets the rhythm of the film which ebbs and flows with the waters of the Titash, investing in the protagonists, the fishing community, a poetic and sentient realism. Ghatak said of the film, “Titash became a kind of commemoration of the past that I left behind long ago. When I was making the film, it occurred to me that nothing of the past survives today, nothing can survive. History is ruthless. It is all lost. Nothing remains.”
The End
While both Ghatak and Sen were participants in the IPTA movement and were both influenced by it, it is Ghatak’s use of melodrama, songs, and coincidence that are telltale signs of his background in theatre. Sen, on the other hand, distanced himself from the sentimentality of his early films, experimented with new wave techniques and settled eventually for a cinema of self-introspection. While Sen made 27 feature films in a career spanning 47 years, Ghatak made 8 features and a handful of unfinished fragments in his film career that spanned 25 years. Sen faced both adulation and intense criticism, especially in the role of a political film-maker. His refusal to stand by an earlier political perception, his eagerness to adapt to his immediate surroundings, his spontaneous response to new political understanding and his constant self-evaluation have all been critiqued from time to time. Yet for Sen, these are signs of growth that he has consistently documented in his work.
Sen recalls his last meeting with Ghatak on Christmas Eve of 1975. While Sen was busy getting ready for the shooting of his film Mrigaya starting the next day, Ghatak arrived at his door unannounced. Emaciated from years of alcohol abuse, with a ghostly pallor on his face and gasping for breath, Ghatak grabbed Sen’s hand like a phantom from the past. The two friends had dinner, they talked and they cracked jokes. Ghatak promised that he would give up drinking. A little more than a month later on 6th February 1976, Ritwik Kumar Ghatak died. In a career ridden with inconsistencies, where extraordinary craftsmanship often went hand in hand with childlike indifference, where the struggle to find money for films met with constant failure, where alcoholism depleted the resources of a keen mind, it is not unnatural that Ghatak found few admirers in his lifetime. Long ago, in his passionate and futile appeal to an indifferent audience, talking about his off-mainstream cinema that had just begun its struggle for survival, he had said, “try to understand that we are moving in the middle of a flowing river. Whatever we are at this moment, that is not our final entity. We shall grow and give shade. We are only waiting for a little sustenance.” Apt then are the last words he ever spoke on the screen, as the protagonist dying in the crossfire between the police and the revolutionaries in his final film Jukti Takko Aar Gappo, “one must do something.”
Sources
Mukhopadhyay, Deepankar. The Maverick Maestro. New Delhi: Indus, 1995. Print.
Ghatak, Ritwik K. Cinema and I. Ed. Avik Banerjee. Calcutta: Dhyanbindu, 2015. Print.
Banerjee, Shampa. Profiles: five film-makers from India. New Delhi: National Film Development Corporation, 1985. Print
Rosenbaum, Jonathan. Goodbye Cinema, Hello Cinephilia. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2010. Print.
Mukerjee, Madhusree. Churchill’s Secret War: The British Empire and the Ravaging of India During World War II. New York: Basic Books, 2010. Print.
Simha, Rakesh K. “Remembering India’s forgotten holocaust.” Tehelka.com. Tehelka, 13 June 2014. Web. 21 March 2017.
Bingham, Adam, ed. Directory of World Cinema: INDIA. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2015. Print.
Rosenbaum, Jonathan. Movies as Politics. California: University of California Press, 1997. Print.
Boswas, Moinik. “Her Mother’s Son – Kinship and History in Ritwik Ghatak.” rouge.com.au. Rouge (2004). Web. 25 August 2017.
O’Donnell, Erin. “Woman and homeland in Ritwik Ghatak’s films.” Jump Cut: A Review of Contemporary Media No. 47 (2004). Web. 21 March 2017.
Chatterji, Shoma A. “Ek Din Pratidin – Mrinal Sen’s Indictment on Patriarchy.” learningandcreativity.com. Silhouette Magazine, 14 May 2015. Web. 23 March 2017.
Know your EC team – Pravi Gopalan (2024 Treasurer)
When I sat down to spill the beans in this article, I was scratching my head, wondering where the heck to start. Let’s rewind to the good old days – I popped into this world in a tiny village called “Kundamkuzhy” in Kerala’s Kasaragod district. My childhood was like a wild adventure kids nowadays can only dream of. Picture this: endless freedom, playing from sunrise to sunset, tag games on tree branches that felt like treetop Olympics, crashing at relatives’ houses, and pulling off Olympic-level dives and swims in the river. Meanwhile, my parents were clueless about my whereabouts. Now, when I’m sweating bullets about my own kid’s safety, I ponder how my folks managed to be so carefree. Maybe it was because, back in the day, raising kids was a whole village affair. Yes, a village-wide babysitting network!
My carefree saga rolled on until 6th grade when I bagged a ticket into Navodaya, a boarding school that flipped my world upside down. It took a hot minute to adjust to the schedule and to wave goodbye to my cherished freedom. Adapting to the new routine was like trying to dance to a new beat, but after a few weeks, everything clicked into place. The next seven years saw me bouncing between Navodayas in Kasaragod and Raebareli (UP). Those years sculpted the basic me – the good, the bad, and the quirky. I completed my B. Tech from LBS College of Engineering, Kasaragod and M. Tech from IIT Roorkee.
Fast forward to 2010, and I found myself in Roanoke, VA, a picturesque spot nestled in the Blue Ridge mountain valley. Eleven years of soaking in the beauty before I did the shuffle to Columbus, OH, for work. Roanoke was stunning, but we missed the buzz of a big Kerala community and Malayalee festivals. I had contacted COMA before moving to Columbus, and received guidance, and bam, the next week, we were picnicking (in 2021) with Columbus Malayalees, making a bunch of new buddies.
I got married in 2013 but I met my first love in 2021 – The soccer. I love soccer and used to play in college days, but since I moved to the US, I had no opportunity to play until I moved to Columbus. I got drafted into the famous Tuskers Soccer team for a $1M annual salary :D, and suddenly I was jet-setting around the US for tournaments, feeling like a soccer rockstar.
That is when “veruthe soccer kalichu enjoy cheythu nadanna enne” some friends lured into 2024 COMA EC.
I met my wife Shruti in 2013 and we have a son Ryan. I am very happy that my son has the opportunity to have a glimpse of our Kerala culture through our association and the plenty of Malayali friends we met here.
Hope my readers had a delightful Valentine’s Day with family, friends, and happy moments. February is American Heart Month. This is a great time to get to know your heart better and focus on your cardiovascular health. Preventive measures to reduce the risk of heart disease can also help improve your overall health and well-being – a win-win approach to wellness!
COMA is gearing up for its inaugural event of 2024 – promising a full day of fun with tournaments, games, cultural performances, dinner, and culminating in an electrifying glow party and DJ night. If you haven’t secured your tickets already for the Kaliyattam event on March 2nd, please do so through the COMA website. Tickets are available for both the daytime tournaments and the evening dinner event:
Congratulations to Nijith Zacharia for winning the COMA Kaliyattam poster design contest. Here’s the prize winning poster:
Invest in your heart – Dr. Niju Baby Narakathu
(Niju is an Internal Medicine Physician who works as a hospitalist at Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, and Genesis Health system, Zanesville. He is from Perumbavoor, Kerala who completed residency in New York and moved to Columbus in 2017. He lives in Powell with his wife Katherine and two beautiful daughters – Joella and Qianna.)
I believe there is no month other than February, the month of “love”, to think about our heart, but in a “different” way. Understanding heart health allows us to recognize and reduce the risk factors for heart disease. By educating ourselves we can make healthier lifestyle choices. Additionally, it also helps in early recognition of the warning signs, seeking medical help, and potentially preventing serious complications or fatalities. Heart Health Awareness empowers us to take proactive measures to protect our cardiovascular well-being, leading to a better quality of life and longevity.
What does heart attack mean and why is it important to know about heart attack?
Heart attack happens when the blood flow which brings oxygen to your heart muscles gets cut off, causing damage to the heart muscles. Commonly confused, heart attack is not the same as cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is when the heart stops beating suddenly and is most likely an electrical problem of the heart.
According to the American Heart Association, about every 40 seconds someone in the United States suffers from a heart attack. Learning that you have coronary artery disease or a heart attack can be scary or overwhelming. But understand that everyone’s situation is different, and many people can live a full productive life after an event. With proper treatment and lifestyle changes, further damage can be prevented or limited after a heart attack.
What are the symptoms of a heart attack?
Pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest, especially with exertion or activities, or at rest
Pain or discomfort in other parts of the upper body, shoulders, arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
Shortness of breath
Nausea, vomiting, burping, or heartburn.
Cold, clammy skin
Fast or uneven heartbeat
Feeling dizzy
It is important to understand that a heart attack symptom is not always as we typically see in the movies where a man clutches his heart and collapses. It can be subtle and confusing, especially in women, where you can mistake this as “acid reflux” or “flu” or sometimes even “normal aging”. Please note that heart disease is the No. 1 killer among women in the United States, according to the American Heart Association.
It is particularly important to understand that chest pain does not always mean heart attack, but it is important to see a health care professional right away if you experience any of the above symptoms.
What puts you at risk for a heart attack?
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Kidney disease
High cholesterol, more specifically high LDL, low HDL
Your risk is even higher if you:
Smoke or vape
Eat a diet that is high in red meat, sugar, and fats, low in fruits and vegetables
Do not get regular physical activity
Obesity
High stress levels
Have a parent or sibling with heart disease
South Asian ethnicity (yes, that is all of us!)
What can you do to lower your risk?
Quit smoking/vaping
Eat a healthy diet and maintain healthy body weight
Limit alcohol intake
Regular activity – Aim for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (such as brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity (such as jogging), or a combination of both, preferably spread throughout the week. It is also good to include moderate- to high-intensity muscle-strengthening activity (such as resistance or weight training) at least twice a week
Find ways to manage stress – yoga, relaxation techniques, and breathing exercises
Take prescribed medicines as recommended by your doctor
Healthy sleep habits – adults should aim at 7-9 hours a day
What is considered a heart healthy diet?
The specific amount of each food type that you should eat depends on your age, weight, and sex. But your eating pattern or the types of food in your diet is important.
Grains: Try to eat whole-grain, high fiber foods each day – brown rice, whole grain breads, cereals.
Fruits and vegetables: Try to eat 4 to 5 servings each day; include as many kinds or colors. If possible, eat fresh. If canned fruits or vegetables are your only option, check the labels and look for products without added sugars or salt.
Dairy: Try to have 3 to 4 servings each day.
Protein: Low fat or lean meat that are baked or broiled, like chicken and turkey without skin. Include oily fish twice a week (tuna, salmon, mackerel). Dried peas, beans and lentils are also rich in protein and fiber.
Fats: healthy fats are monounsaturated fats or polyunsaturated fats – found in olive oil, canola oil, and sesame oil, they are also found in nuts, seeds, avocados. and nut butters.
Salt and condiments: Always include low-sodium or salt free broths, soups, soy sauce, or condiments.
Sweets: Avoid in general. Choose low-fat products with no trans fat.
Fruits and vegetables: prepackaged, regular canned, frozen vegetables with sauce, pickled vegetables, with added sugar or salt
Dairy: malted milk, buttermilk, chocolate milk.
Meat products: smoked, cured, salted, or canned.
Fats: unhealthy fats – saturated fats and trans fats (partially hydrogenated oils, egg yolks, butter, cheese, fried foods, margarine, baked goods likes cookies or cakes).
Condiments and snacks: salted and canned peas, beans and olives. Miso, salsa, ketchup, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce are all high in salt.
Sweets: baked goods in general, artificial sweeteners, fruit juices, soda, and other sweetened drinks.
“Try not to shop when you are hungry!”
A Comparative Primer on the Films of Mrinal Sen and Ritwik Ghatak – Part 1 – Sandeep Ravindranath
(Sandeep Ravindranath is a student of the audiovisual arts. He has served as a live sound engineer for such acts as Chitravina Ravi Kiran, Nagai Muralidharan, The Carnatica Brothers, Ustad Shahed Pervez Khan and Steve Gorn among others. As an on-location sound recordist, his work on the Lebanese film What Remains was shortlisted for the Student BAFTA in 2018. He holds a Master’s degree in Music Technology from New York University and was a programmer analyst for Sony Music in Manhattan.
His directorial venture The Bookshelf dealt with the subject of growing intolerance in India and was commissioned by Perumal Murugan’s Kalachuvadu and Indira Chandrasekhar’s Tulika. In 2016, Sandeep was offered a full scholarship in the direction program at Columbia College Chicago where his thesis film Diary of an Outsider received Jury invitation from the Directors Guild of America to its Student Awards. To date, his shorts Lullaby, The Bookshelf, Santhana Gopala, Diary of an Outsider and Sub Brothers have screened at over 120 film festivals in 21 countries winning numerous awards along the way. His latest short, Anthem for Kashmir, launched by Anand Patwardhan and T.M. Krishna was censored by the right wing government of India.
Sandeep lives in Dublin, Ohio.)
Mrinal Sen recounts in an interview, his first meeting with Ritwik Ghatak at an Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) gathering – a lanky young man almost his age was reading out his new play with great passion. IPTA, the cultural arm of the Communist Party of India that nurtured many major literary, artistic and theatrical talents of the age would once again sow the seeds that birthed two giants, in an entirely new medium this time – cinema.
That first encounter turned into the frequent meetings at the Paradise Cafe – a cheap tea-shop in South Calcutta where budding filmmakers – young, unemployed and desperate, gathered to discuss films for hours together. It was during these sessions that Sen decided to become a filmmaker, crediting this momentous decision to both the ambiance of the cafe and the infectious enthusiasm of Ghatak. Today, both Mrinal Sen and Ritwik Ghatak are iconic names in the annals of Indian Cinema – their names etched along with that of another Bengali auteur Satyajit Ray. They were pioneers who changed the course of Indian Cinema, leaving behind the commercial, spectacle and glamour driven movie-making of Bombay in favour of a new kind of filmmaking that treated cinema as the art form that it is, using the medium to focus on social and political issues – the partition, famine, caste and poverty, communalism, the position of women, the anguish of the educated unemployed, dissent and so on. They would go on to inspire filmmakers in other regional languages to walk their path, thereby firmly establishing the culture of the Parallel Cinema of India.
Common Roots
Mrinal Sen and Ritwik Ghatak’s common roots go further back than the meetings at the Paradise Cafe or the IPTA. They were both from villages that became East Pakistan in 1947 (now Bangladesh) and moved to Calcutta during their formative years in an undivided Bengal. These socio-political realities of their time would find its way into their filmmaking – if it was the partition for Ritwik Ghatak, it would be famine for Mrinal Sen. Ghatak’s cinematic world would be a world of exiles where dwell the homeless, the rootless and the child separated from the mother – films peopled with characters who have been driven from their homes, forced to draw sustenance from the vitiated atmosphere of the cities. For Sen, while the physical aspect of famine finds a backdrop in three of his films, it is the ideas associated with famine – poverty, hunger, inequality, and injustice caused by human greed and exploitation that find voice in his narratives. The cinematic medium for Ghatak was the weapon that gave vent to his passionate unrest and for Sen, it was a window through which his keen glance penetrated his surroundings with compassion, humor and sometimes rage.
Early Films
Ritwik Ghatak was the first to reach the milestone of completing a feature film. His first feature, Nagarik (Citizen, 1952) was completed three years before Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali but was released only in 1977, a year after Ghatak’s death. Ray once said that, had Nagarik been released before his Pather Panchali, Nagarik would have been accepted as the first film of the alternative form of Bengali cinema. The story of a lower middle-class family which by force of circumstance, finds itself declassed through poverty, Nagarik makes a political statement that remains valid even today – in a city teeming with people, the common man, the citizen, who will never win and yet, refuses to admit defeat. Amidst the squalor and degeneration of city life, Nagarik’s hero emerges with hope. The repeated blows of fortune, the path of despair from the tenement to the slums, cannot kill his spirit – the young, unemployed hero will continue to fight for his right to live. Nagarik was shot on a shoestring budget, with a cast entirely unused to the film medium and skeletal facilities buoyed up on primitive equipment. The technical deficiencies notwithstanding, Nagarik reveals the unmistakable signs of an emerging style and the unique sensibility that permeates Ghatak’s later films. Ghatak even managed to pay tribute to that little cafe that played an unforgettable role in the development of Indian cinema – the tea-shop that the hero visits after his failed job interview is, the Paradise Cafe.
The melodramatic style which Ghatak imbibed during his years as a playwright, actor, and director in IPTA is channeled into his film oeuvre starting with Nagarik. The variety of both indigenous and foreign theatrical styles that IPTA incorporated, such as the Bengali folk form, Jatra, and Brecht’s “epic” form greatly contributed to the theatrical shape of his melodramatic style. Ghatak’s melodrama in the Brechtian sense detached the audience from the action of the narrative; instead of a willingly “suspended disbelief” caused by an emotional investment in the hero’s journey and his fate, the audience was now prompted to produce a critical, objective response to the socio-political commentary that Ghatak was making. The frequent use of wide angle lens, placement of the camera at very high, low and irregular angles, dramatic lighting composition, expressionistic acting style and experimentation with songs and sound effects, carry on through his entire body of work.
Mrinal Sen’s first film Raat Bhore (Dawn at the end of the Night, 1955) meanwhile, turned out to be such a disaster that he once referred to the experience as “that feeling of disgust which envelopes a man after his first visit to a brothel.” His second film Neel Akasher Neechey (Under the Blue Sky, 1959) was laced with subtle political undertones and had a good run at the box office but Sen in retrospect found it unbearably sentimental and technically shoddy. It was with his third film Baishey Sravan (The 22nd Day of Sravan, 1960), that Mrinal Sen really came into his own. An exploration of a personal predicament that grows out of a larger tragedy outside the boundaries of the home, Baishey Sravan, was the story of a middle-aged village hawker and the disintegration of his relationship with his young bride in the context of the Bengal famine of 1943. Sen had witnessed firsthand the ravages of the famine in which he saw people dying in their hundreds on the streets of Calcutta – walking skeletons begging for a mouthful of rice before succumbing to their horrible fates . An estimated 3 to 4 million Bengalis perished in that famine caused by the Second World War and crop failures, and compounded by the callous colonial administration and its racist masters in London.
After the first half of the film is spent on a truly idyllic portrayal of the couple, the famine enters silently. There is not a single shot that represents the famine physically – there are no starving people begging for food, there are no vultures and jackals fighting over carcasses and there are no emaciated babies fiercely sucking the breast of its dead mother. The context of the war and the impending calamity is set up with a shot of a passing convoy, the sounds of an airplane and a very long shot of the villagers moving to the city in search of food. As the cry for food becomes louder and louder outside, Sen keeps his camera fixed indoors where the couple, like two animals in a cage, fight each other as poverty and starvation break down the last vestiges of their humanity.
Ghatak’s second film Ajantrik (The Pathetic Fallacy or The Unmechanical, 1958) had a theme that was startlingly new for Indian cinema at the time – it was among the earliest films in India that showcased an inanimate object – a car, as a major character. The story is about a taxi-driver Bimal and his undying love for his battered old jalopy whom he fondly refers to by a human name, Jagaddhal – a run down, 1920’s Chevrolet that is literally falling apart at the seams. Ghatak humanises the car with a comic treatment – headlights that move of its own volition, and the sense of brotherly affection between Bimal and the car with a number plate that reads “BRO 117”. The dialog Bimal establishes with the car – Jagaddhal never “catches colds” or “gets tummy aches” further highlights the humanising aspect of their attachment. Ghatak’s innovative use of sound design that was way ahead of its time further accentuates this anthropomorphising – while Bimal pours water into the car’s radiator, a gulping sound accompanies the action in the soundtrack. Towards the end of the film, as Jagaddhal is dying in spite of the replacement of its parts and the extensive work done on it, a metallic grinding sound becomes louder and louder indicating Jagaddhal’s “sickness”. While there is still some theatricality, unlike his other films, Ghatak has toned down his use of melodrama in Ajantrik in favor of a comedic-drama form. He still retains some symbolism, for instance in the shot where Jagaddhal is being dragged away by scrap-collectors, the frame is composed through the crosses in the cemetery next to which Bimal lives.
As Ghatak’s concerns over modernism and its discontents are well known, Ajantrik could be read as a cautionary tale about man’s obsession with technology in an increasingly material and urban world. While in an article , Ghatak refers to the film as “the story of a crazy man”, and says that “only silly people can identify themselves with a man who believes that that God-forsaken car has life”, the affectionate portrayal of Bimal and his companion in the film certainly does not betray this seemingly condescending tone. In fact, Bimal might well be an extension of Ghatak himself who as an innovative filmmaker, broke all kinds of cinematic rules and regulations. Like Bimal he resisted the fashions of his day, eventually paying the price with an isolation rewarded by a personal vision that goes against the grain. Ajantrik could also have inspired Satyajit Ray to make Abhijaan (The Expedition, 1962) four years later, which had a similar theme of a taxi-driver and his fondness for his car but that film ends on a happier note. This could explain why Abhijaan was one of Ray’s biggest ever successes at the Bengali box-office, while as Ghatak himself recalled, Ajantrik “grossed exactly nothing.”
References
Mukerjee, Madhusree. Churchill’s Secret War: The British Empire and the Ravaging of India During World War II. New York: Basic Books, 2010. Print.
Simha, Rakesh K. “Remembering India’s forgotten holocaust.” Tehelka.com. Tehelka, 13 June 2014. Web. 21 March 2017.
Ghatak, Ritwik K. “Some Thoughts About Ajantrik.” Cinema and I. Ed. Avik Banerjee. Calcutta: Dhyanbindu, 2015. Print.
Know your EC team – Shyam Mohan (2024 Joint Secretary)
“You are what you Think!” Let me begin my story with this. Something that I realized from the early stages of my life. Something that I’d like to pass on to COMA youth as well. Thoughts lead to Emotions, Emotions lead to Actions, and Actions lead to Outcomes! So in a way you create your own story/future/destiny!
My name is Shyam Mohan Ganesh-bhavan Neena. An ardent Kerala-loving, Malayalam-loving person born in the Malabarian coast of Kerala – Kozhikode. I’m sure at least some of you would have read the name twice and thought ‘what’s the deal with his name!”. Like the long name, the story behind it is also long! Overall people take me as a simple person, but I am also a person who understands Lena (Multiverse! :D) So I can be interesting too 🙂
Born to middle class central-government employee parents, inter-state transfer and school hopping were a normal part of my life. After spending my toddler days in Bangalore, pre-school days in Kannur, and elementary school days in Vishakapattanam (AP), we finally ended up in the land of Anathapadmanabha – Thiruvananthapuram, where I finished my schooling from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pattom and Computer Engineering from College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram (CET).
If asked for a nostalgic moment from my childhood, the memories are not complete without mentioning the load-shedding nights (power-cut) we used to have back in the day, where me and my family used to go to the terrace and lie down facing the sky, our faces lit by the diamonds in the sky. My father was a Meteorologist (Weather Forecaster). Sky watching was his job but he did make sure some of that occupational wisdom was passed on to us. To this day, when I look at the night sky, I can spot many of the constellations or read a few cloud patterns to predict if it’ll rain the following day or not. Well.. almost 🙂 He also taught me to occasionally zoom out and realize that we are nothing but an insignificant cosmic dust in this infinite universe and to be humbled by our mere existence in the grand scheme of the cosmos.
I’ve always believed hobbies are food for the soul. Besides the common hobbies of a 80/90’s kid, like playing street cricket, stamp collection, playing RoadRash etc., I also picked up some new hobbies as an adult – photography, drawing, and cooking. Being a passionate nature lover and growing up in the lap of our God’s Own Country, the urge to pickup photography was inevitable. Starting with my first camera (now vintage), a Minolta 35mm, I slowly moved on to a Nikon DSLR, and I now own a SONY Alpha Mirrorless.
Among all my hobbies, drawing is the one that is most fulfilling, where I lose track of time and feel recharged thereafter. Being a foodie and born in a place that I think is a food destination of our vibrant diverse state, many of the favorite moments of my early life were in the kitchen with my dad, or relatives, or with my grandmother. I picked up cooking during my bachelor days and continue to do it whenever I get time.
Having been born in northern Kerala and having lived mostly in southern Kerala, I had visited most of the districts in Kerala by the time I was of prime age, but the central district of Palakkad had always eluded me. I finally ended up marrying my wife from Palakkad, a place that I visited for the first time in my life on the day I met her. Falling in love with everything I saw that day, rest is history 😉 Well, here we are – a family of four with our two beautiful children, Eva and Milan. Apart from our priceless family time at home, our favorite family destinations include Munnar, Colorado, and the Caribbeans.
After coming to the United States 15 years ago, and having travelled or worked in 30+ states, I finally chose our dear-old Ohio to settle in! They say Home is where you find peace. Ohio is our second home (after Kerala) and this is where we want to come back to, always. Be it the four seasons, the food, good education for children, or the welcoming “Mallus”, I believe there is something for everyone here – in the humble view of a simple guy like me 🙂 And honestly, COMA feels nothing short of an extension of our own kin and clan!
Welcome to the first newsletter of 2024! I trust all of you had a great holiday season and got to spend quality time with your family and friends. January is the time for new year resolutions, and my goal for this year is to eat healthy, stay fit, and complete a half marathon in the fall. I am part of the COMA Marathon group, and the camaraderie of motivated fellow Malayali runners is invaluable in keeping myself on track.
I am really looking forward to the initiatives the 2024 Executive Committee has in store for COMA members this year. My best wishes go out to the 2024 EC for a triumphant year! The success of our organization hinges on volunteer support complementing the enthusiastic efforts from the Executive Committee, so I hope we can all join hands as a team and contribute wholeheartedly to help create another great year for our organization.
I am always looking for member contributions for the newsletter. Should you wish to submit content for future editions, please reach out to the EC team (coma.officials@gmail.com). Content should be 250 words or less.
Wishing all my readers a safe, healthy, and prosperous new year!
— Smitha Nishant
Presidential Address – Nicey Vakasseril (2024 COMA President)
(Nicey lives in Powell, Ohio with her husband Stephen and daughter Anjali. She is from Trivandrum and has been living in Ohio since 2015. Her hobbies are reading, driving on long routes, and relaxing.)
Happy New year to all Malayali families and COMA members! I am thrilled to be part of COMA EC 2024, and excited to share the fun with you all again this year!
I understand that there are a lot of Malayali families who are not part of COMA as I myself was not part of it for some time. And after being part of COMA, I realized how valuable it is through providing a community feeling and fun filled enjoyable events to our Malayali families. Therefore, one of my intentions is to bring more Malayali families into COMA. Also, this year, COMA would like to partner with other Indian associations for cross cultural activities.
I would like to congratulate the 2023 Executive Committee for providing a wonderful and memorable year! In 2024, we are planning some exciting events where we will re-live the traditions of our God’s Own Country as well as embrace the traditions of this nation. With your active participation and support, we hope to make this year a memorable one for COMA members.
As we continue through the year, we will let you know about the upcoming events! I am happy to have a team consisting of Anil Koothoor as Vice President, Pravi Gopalan as Treasurer, Yogalakshmi as Secretary, and Shyam Mohan as Joint Secretary. We are glad that we have the guidance of an experienced team of trustees! The success of COMA is not just with the committee but with all our Malayali families including children, youth, and adults. We request your support by participating in events, bringing more families to COMA, and by volunteering at COMA events. I firmly believe that we are going to have another fun-filled year!
I am looking forward to having this journey with you all in 2024! Once again, I wish you all a prosperous and happy new year on behalf of everyone in EC 2024!
Essential Medical Screenings – Dr. Rajesh Rajan
(Rajesh Rajan is a Nephrologist who also manages Infuse One (an infusion/Botox center). He is from Pandalam, Kerala. He grew up in New York and moved to Columbus in 2022. He lives in Liberty Township with his wife Mauja, kids Devika and Dhinan, and puppy Meeka.)
As we step into the unfolding of the New Year, many of us embark on a journey centered around resolutions for improved health and well-being. Amidst the plethora of aspirations, a dedicated commitment to good health takes precedence, whether achieved through mindful nutrition, regular exercise, or conscientious mental health practices. The dedication to better health undergoes an annual reevaluation.
Despite our emphasis on well-being, the tendency prevails to visit the doctor only when unwell. However, the significance of preventive healthcare cannot be overstated. It is imperative to shift our focus from reactive responses to proactive measures in health management. Regular visits to healthcare professionals can detect issues early on, or prevent their occurrence through routine screenings. Several essential screenings become particularly relevant as we age.
Guidelines and recommendations for screenings are diverse, with organizations like the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) offering valuable insights. Patient preferences play a pivotal role in decision-making, with education about the risks and benefits of screening tests being paramount.
Primary care physician visits constitute a crucial facet of comprehensive healthcare. These appointments involve screening for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, vision health, and more. While recommendations may vary, a biennial health visit for adults under 49, assuming good health without chronic conditions, is generally acceptable. Adults aged 50 and above are advised to have an annual health visit, while those with chronic illnesses may require more frequent monitoring.
Dental care often falls into the realm of reactive measures, triggered by problems. The American Dental Association suggests regular dental visits, commonly interpreted as every six months, for examinations, cleanings, and necessary X-rays to detect issues early.
While eye exams need not occur annually, a comprehensive examination is crucial at some point to evaluate underlying eye pathology. Beyond assessing the need for corrective lenses, eye exams screen for diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration.
The rising prevalence of chronic health conditions underscores the importance of close monitoring. High blood pressure, a common ailment, prompts screening for adults over 18, with annual checks recommended after the age of 40, particularly for those with high-risk factors.
Diabetes, a global health concern, is screened for in patients with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or adults aged 35-70 with a Body Mass Index over 25. Fasting blood tests or hemoglobin A1c assessments are commonly employed for diagnosis.
Specialized cancer screening recommendations, such as Pap tests for cervical cancer and mammograms for breast cancer, align with guidelines from organizations like the USPSTF. Colorectal cancer screening is advised from age 45 onwards, and lung cancer screening is recommended for high-risk individuals aged 50-80 with a history of smoking.
Prostate cancer screening discussions commence at age 50 for average-risk individuals, relying on individualized decisions informed by factors like the Prostate-Specific Antigen blood test or digital rectal exams.
Osteoporosis screening is typically conducted for women over 65, and DEXA scans are commonly used for bone density evaluation. Men with low bone mass or fracture risk factors may also undergo screening.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, generally a one-time ultrasound, is recommended for males aged 65-75, especially for current or former smokers. Non-smokers in the same age bracket with a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm may also consider this screening.
While this overview is not exhaustive, each decision regarding preventive health is a collaborative effort between the patient and the physician. It is advisable to consult with your physician to develop personalized preventive health strategies.
Know your EC team – Anil Koothoor (2024 Vice President)
(Anil lives in Plain City, Ohio with his wife Sabitha and son Ash. He moved from Calgary to Ohio in 2021. Since then, he has been an active member of COMA. Anil is an avid traveler and has explored over 45 countries. He is passionate about local food and soccer.)
When Smitha asked me to write about myself, I never realized that this would be so difficult for me. I realized that I have lost my touch for writing, and writing about others, “paradooshanam”, is much easier than writing about yourself. Anyway, here is my scribble. Warning: read at your own risk.
I was born in a village near Payyanur, Kannur, and I was there until I completed my pre-degree course. My childhood memories revolve around the time I spent playing outdoors with my friends and fighting with the creatures that occupied most parts of my mom’s ancestral home where I was brought up, and of-course the relationship complexities of an orthodox extended family. During that time, reading was my hobby and the couple of libraries in our village and nearby town helped me with it. I am not sure how many of you know about this, Kannur is very famous for its network of libraries. Reading opened many doors for me, and I started questioning things -within no time, I was labelled as a rebel. I became part of student activities and travelled across the state to coordinate cultural programs. If you ask me about the best part of my schooling, definitely, it’s the two years (pre-degree) I lived in “Payyanur College”. Yes, the way Vineet Sreenivasan described in his movie “Thattathil Marayathu“, Payyanur College “varantha” and the evening breeze, that was such a romantic and exhilarating experience. As per my wife, Payyanur College and the two years of “alavalathi tharangal” would be the only thing that I would remember if ever I suffer from amnesia.
I had to move to Trivandrum for pursuing my engineering degree. There, everyone talked about the importance of having milestones and targets, but for me, the ultimate target was to go back to my roots. Many of you would have heard about Paulo Coelho and his famous quote in his masterpiece Alchemist: “When you want something, the whole universe conspires in order for you to achieve it“- Coelho used this phrase to ascertain his opinion that we can control fate and that fate is a lie. You may agree with this comment. In my life, fate is a reality. I was never able to control my fate but I learned to live with it. I started living in the moment and making the best of it. I can proudly say that I appreciate whatever comes out of that moment and I live with no regrets. Trust me, that has changed my whole concept about life. Like the unknown quote, “Dance with the waves, move with the sea, let the rhythm of the water set your soul free“.
Now the question is, why couldn’t I change my fate? There may be numerous reasons but not any as prominent as this one: Sometimes, someone comes into your life that changes everything. In my life, there was not one but three musketeers. They believed in me and made me realize that I can do many things in life if I channel my energy in the right direction and get rid of my carefree attitude, while controlling my activism. Association with them propelled my multidimensional reading and that helped me understand the world in its broader aspect, as well as it helped me academically. Don’t know if I should call them my teachers; officially they were, but they are really my friends, my big brothers, and my well-wishers. I don’t want to narrate the whole story, but I can undoubtedly say that they influenced my life more than anyone else, and for them, I became an engineer.
Again, for me, being an engineer meant working in KSEB or some governmental or nodal agencies, but life pulled me to different directions. From CET, I was drafted to work for a software company and I started working in mainframe/Y2K. You probably know that at that time, it was a big buzz in India and an easy way to become an American. I was always confused about applying colons and semicolons at the right places in code, and I also realized that there were many smart people who could program better than me. Also, the only interesting part of being in Madras was the time I had spent with my friends in cricket grounds. I left software and moved to oil and gas. The work schedule at ONGC was really comfortable for me to follow my passion for travel, and I backpacked every state in India and some countries outside India. I am proud to say I am an Indian-Navy trained fire and rescue officer, and actively coordinated a couple of fire and rescue operations and other emergency incidents in Mumbai High offshore. Meanwhile, I met my life partner who used to visit our hometown from Tamil Nadu during her summer vacations. Though she claims to be a Malayalee, I am still not comfortable to endorse that claim. We got married in 2000. There ended my adventures. Guys and girls, you know what I mean by this. We were blessed with our handsome son Ash Krishna, who is a Junior at University of Wisconsin, Madison.
In life, there is a time where you feel you need wealth more than your comfortability in life. I moved to Kuwait for work. Though the stint was short, I have to admit, that helped me secure my base financially. Not by much but to an extend where I could afford travelling across the world. I then moved to Canada and settled in Northern Alberta, famous for its beautiful northern lights and where the outdoors life is only for a maximum of 4 to 5 months a year. Moving from +55 degrees C to -44 degrees C annealed us to laugh at the haters of Ohio winter. Guys, you are lucky!
When life is full of unexpected challenges, how you handle them builds character. The devasting wildfire in Canada forced us to move from Fort McMurray to Calgary where we built our life from scratch. Thanks to my wife and son who stood strong when we were forced to live in our SUV for a week thinking about what to do next. Thanks also to my employer who believed in my skills and continued my association, though it was challenging for them to make money after the devastation.
Our son who was a competitive swimmer moved to Wisconsin, and we moved along with him to the US (Ohio) in 2021, and here I am. Smitha also wants me to talk about my hobbies. If you have read this far, you may have realized the fact that I love travelling and my intention is to cover 60 countries by 60, and 70 by 70, and I believe I can achieve it. If I ever retire, I will take up a job where I don’t have to use my brain (if something is left of it by that time) and work for a couple of months a year and do a road trip for the rest of the year in my RV.
Whatever happened, happened for the good. Whatever is happening, is happening for the good. Whatever will happen, will also be for good – Bhagavad Gita. Life is short and I will make the best of it.
P.S.: I never wanted to lead another organization, and here I am writing this as the 2024 COMA Vice President. I can only say that I will try my best to meet your expectations.
COMA Malayalam Classes – A Perspective – Prahlad T I
(Prahlad, a music enthusiast, has been an active member of COMA since 2013, and lives with his wife Vidya and son Amogh in Lewis Center, OH. Prahlad loves to travel and enjoys biking.)
When Smitha asked me to write a short article about the COMA Malayalam classes, I thought it would be just a matter of an hour, and that I should be done with it very soon. I planned to start my article with a reference to the birth of Malayalam language, did a bit of reading online, and that’s when I realized how little I knew about the history of Malayalam. I kept on reading, and my originally planned one hour turned into many more. Well, now that I have the courage to start my article, let me first thank Smitha for making me read more 🙂
Malayalam language has been evolving since many years. Historians have classified the evolution of Malayalam into three eras, namely the old, middle, and modern Malayalam. The current version of Malayalam (modern) has been around since the 15th century. Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan, considered to be the Father of modern Malayalam language, lived during the 16th century, and has made many contributions to the growth of Malayalam. The epic poems written by him and the revival of the Malayalam script into its current form were some of his major contributions.
From the perspective of a native English speaker (which would be most of our students), learning Malayalam (or any Indian language for that matter) has its own challenges. Let me elaborate this with an example. Let’s try to translate 3 simple sentences from English to Malayalam.
I told him => Njan Avanodu Paranju
I helped him => Njan Avane Sahaayichu
I gave him => Njan Avanu koduthu
Now, see how the word “him” got changed into 3 entirely different forms when translated to Malayalam. Here, the right form to use is based on the meaning of the verb, and for a native Malayalam speaker, this would come naturally. Not much thinking is required. On the other hand, for a native English speaker, finding which word to use is very complicated and challenging. Even if there was some scientific method to find the right form to use, such methods cannot be understood by little kids very easily. Picking the right word for the context can only come by frequent hearing of these sentences and patterns spoken by others. I have observed that watching Malayalam movies is one good way to help register such patterns easily in kids.
The one thing I am really happy with is to see that there is much love towards learning Malayalam. There are more and more parents each year who are interested in having their kids get a taste of Malayalam. This is a great initiative that COMA has undertaken. COMA Malayalam classes have two batches currently, the Beginner class and the Intermediate class. Someone who is very new to Malayalam starts off with the Beginner class, stays in for a couple of years, and then graduates into the Intermediate class. The Beginner class is more of an introduction to Malayalam, where kids get to learn the basics. They get to learn many of the common Malayalam words, learn to make simple conversational sentences, and get familiarized with the Malayalam script. The Intermediate class takes students to a more detailed level, including sentence formation, writing, and grammar.
Having had the opportunity to volunteer as a COMA Malayalam teacher for a decade, I must say I feel extremely fortunate and happy. The one hour spent with kids each week is truly an hour of bliss. I believe my students have enjoyed the classes as much as I did, and I am sure the classes have given them a good flavor of the language and the culture of Kerala. In addition to learning the language, we also enjoy singing Malayalam songs, reading Malayalam stories, etc. I have often received videos from parents of kids singing Malayalam songs at home that we learned in our class. Those, and many more such awesome moments, has made me go on for a decade, looking forward to that one hour, week after week.
I would like to thank COMA for giving me this opportunity.
Happy Holidays to all! It’s been a fantastic year for COMA, and we closed it out with a bang! The Christmas event was truly grand, featuring photo booths, Christmas carols, nativity skit, and an impressive array of performances by individuals of all age groups. The plum cake, appetizers, and wine served at the outset, followed by the classic Malayali feast for dinner turned out to be a culinary delight. The dance floor was a fitting end to the series of grand celebrations we’ve had this year. A heartfelt thank you to EC 2023 for your outstanding work!
It brings me immense pleasure to envision a bright future for COMA, owing to the commitment and dedication of our volunteers, executive leadership, and trustees. The Executive Committee for 2024 was announced during the COMA Christmas event. We have a dynamic and passionate team all prepared to make their mark. Stay tuned for more details in our January newsletter!
I extend my sincere gratitude to all my readers and contributors for your tremendous support of the newsletter this year. I eagerly anticipate working with you in the upcoming year!
I wish you and your families a happy and healthy holiday season, and a prosperous New Year!
(Beena Kumar is a long term COMA patron and lives in Dublin, OH with her husband Ajoy Kumar. She is an IT professional, and enjoys travel and literature.)
പഞ്ചവർണ്ണക്കിളി പാറി മറഞ്ഞപ്പോൾ കിളിക്കൂടെനിക്കൊരു ഭാരമായി മറയാത്തൊരോർമ്മകൾ കൊത്തിപ്പെറുക്കിയെൻ മാനസം പിന്നോട്ടൊന്നെത്തിനോക്കി കണ്ണു തുറക്കാത്ത തൂവൽ എഴാത്തൊരു കുഞ്ഞായി നിന്നെയറിഞ്ഞു തുടങ്ങി ഞാൻ നാൾക്കുനാൾ നീ വളരുന്നതു കണ്ടെൻ്റെ ഉള്ളിൽ വാത്സല്യം നിറഞ്ഞു നിന്നു നിൻ കുഞ്ഞു മേനിയിൽ തൂവൽ കിളിർത്തതും ആദ്യമായ് കൊഞ്ചിയെൻ കാതിൽ മൊഴിഞ്ഞതും വേർതിരിച്ചെന്തെന്നറിയാൻ കഴിയാത്ത കൊഞ്ചൽ എന്നാത്മാവിൻ ആനന്ദമായതും കുഞ്ഞിച്ചിറകു വിരിച്ചു നീയാദ്യമായ് പൊങ്ങിപ്പറന്നു തിരികെ അണഞ്ഞതും ആതിരറിയാതെ നീ പാറി നടന്നപ്പോൾ അരുതെന്നു ചൊല്ലി ഞാൻ പിന്നാലെ വന്നതും ബാല്യം കടന്നു നീ യൗവനം ഏറീതും പഞ്ച വർണ്ണ ചിറകൊക്കെ കുരുത്തതും സങ്കൽപ്പ ലോകത്തിൽ നീ പാറി നിന്നതും മിന്നും കഥകളെൻ കാതിൽ മൊഴിഞ്ഞതും അരുതുകളൊക്കെ അകലെ എറിഞ്ഞു നീ അരുതാത്തതൊക്കെയും കൊത്തിക്കൊറിച്ചതും ദീനം പിടിച്ചു നീ വേദന തിന്നതും വേദാന്തമോതി ഞാൻ കൂടെയിരുന്നതും കൂടു നിനക്കൊരു ബന്ധനമായതും ആകാശം വെട്ടിപ്പിടിക്കാൻ മോഹിച്ചതും യാത്രയും ചൊല്ലി നീ പാറി മറഞ്ഞതും എന്നുടെ ചേതന ഒന്നു പിടഞ്ഞതും ഒന്നും മറക്കുന്നതില്ലയെൻ പൈങ്കിളി ശൂന്യമീ ജീവിതം ഓർമ്മകളില്ലെങ്കിൽ നന്മകൾ നേരുന്നു നിൻപാത നീളെയും ആയുരാരോഗ്യ സൗഭാഗ്യങ്ങളും കാതിരിക്കുന്നു ഞാൻ എന്നും പ്രതീക്ഷയിൽ തിരികെ നീയെത്തുന്ന നാളിനായി.
Columbus Tuskers Triumph at Naadan 7’s Soccer Tournament in Houston, TX – Pramod Pudhiyattil
(Pramod Pudhiyattil is a long time COMA patron who is most well-known for being COMA’s event videographer. He maintains the official COMA YouTube channel. Pramod is a sport enthusiast and is the manager of the local Malayalee Saturday badminton league as well as a private Friday Badminton league. He’s also one of the best soccer players among Columbus Malayalees and has been a part of various soccer teams over his years in Columbus. He’s an avid biker and is one of the main coordinators of the COMA biking club. In his spare time, he goes running and has completed a half marathon. Pramod lives in Lewis Center with his wife Priya, son Aarit, and daughter Aadhira.)
In an exhilarating showcase of skill and determination, the Columbus Tuskers recently made a triumphant journey from Columbus, OH to Houston, TX to participate in the prestigious Naadan 7’s soccer tournament. The tournament, hosted in the city of Katy, near Houston TX on the 11th and 12th of November 2023, by Houston United MSC (Malayalee Soccer Club), brought together soccer enthusiasts from Malayalees across the nation, creating an atmosphere of friendly competition and community spirit.
The Columbus Tuskers, driven by a passion for the sport, traveled the distance to not only compete but to leave an indelible mark on the Naadan 7’s soccer tournament. The team’s outstanding performance swept Naadan 7’s Soccer Tournament, with double victory, clinching the “Champions Trophy” in the 45+ category and securing the esteemed title of “Runners-Up” in the fiercely competitive 35+ category.
The triumph of the Columbus Tuskers was not confined to team victories alone; several players showcased their exceptional talent and earned individual awards, adding to the team’s impressive achievements.
Subhash Nair emerged as a standout player, bagging the coveted Top Scorer Award for the 35+ category. His goal-scoring prowess and on-field finesse contributed significantly to the team’s success in this age group. Subhash is well known as the Messi of the Columbus Tuskers team and is a nightmare for all opposing teams.
Anil Koothoor, demonstrating exceptional skills between the goalposts, secured the title of Best Goalkeeper in the fiercely competitive 45+ category. His outstanding performance played a crucial role in the Columbus Tuskers’ defensive strength and contributed to their overall success in the tournament.
The 45+ category saw more individual brilliance from the Columbus Tuskers, with Sing Nair earning the Top Scorer Award. Sing N’s scoring prowess and strategic contributions were instrumental in the team’s journey to claiming the “Champions Trophy” in this age group.
Pramod Pudhiyattil, another standout player, was honored with the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the 45+ category. Pramod’s all-round contributions, leadership on the field, and ability to make a decisive impact in crucial moments solidified his position as a key player for the Columbus Tuskers.
Columbus Tusker 45+ Squad
Shibu Nair
Pramod Pudhiyattil
Ashley Thomas
Abraham Thomas
Austin Pereira
Biju Philip
Buby Varghese Mathew
Mathew Abraham Varghese
Sing Nair
Sinu Paul
Anil Koothoor
Columbus Tuskers 35+ Squad
Anil Koothoor
Aslam Abubacker
Deepak Asokan
Dilin Joy
JayKumar Madathil
Pradeesh Puthiyattil
Pravi Gopalan
Rakesh Vijayakrishnan
Sajid Nedumpally
Subhash Nair
Shibu Nair
Pramod Pudhiyattil
Ashley Thomas
Due to various reasons, the full power of Columbus Tuskers couldn’t be showcased in the Houston tournament, but the team cannot be thanked enough for the support they rendered throughout the tournament. We really missed these folks who could not join us in Houston: Josh (Coach), Basil, Bimal, Anish, Sameer, and Geeno.
Above all, Shibu’s (COMA President) exemplary captaincy set a high standard for aspiring soccer players in the community, emphasizing the importance of leadership, strategic thinking, and camaraderie both on and off the field.
The organizers of Naadan 7 tournament deserve recognition for orchestrating a seamless event. Their dedication and meticulous planning ensured that soccer enthusiasts and families alike could enjoy the weekend filled with excitement and friendly competition.
The resounding success of the Columbus Tuskers at the Naadan 7’s soccer tournament is a testament to the blend of individual brilliance, team cohesion, and exceptional leadership that defines the spirit of the beautiful game. The team’s achievements will undoubtedly inspire future generations of soccer enthusiasts in Columbus, fostering a legacy of excellence in soccer within the community. The entire community joins in celebrating these accomplishments, recognizing the dedication, hard work, and passion that propelled the Columbus Tuskers to success on the national stage. As we reflect on the success, it becomes evident that events like these play a crucial role in strengthening the fabric of our community.
#PhotographyTips #Lighting – Rahul RP
(Rahul RP is an IT engineer with a deep passion for photography and travel. He possesses a keen eye for capturing the beauty of the world through the lens of his camera, turning everyday moments into extraordinary memories. Whether it’s exploring new destinations or delving into the intricacies of technology, he is a true enthusiast with a thirst for knowledge and adventure. Rahul lives in New Albany with his wife Gayathri and son Dhyan. He hails from Trivandrum.)
In the realm of photography, lighting is not merely a technical necessity; it is an art form that can transform an ordinary image into a masterpiece. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned photographer, understanding the nuances of lighting is crucial for capturing breathtaking shots. This article will delve into the importance of lighting in photography and provide tips on how to use it to your advantage.
The Essence of Lighting
Lighting is the key to unlocking the true potential of your photographs. It not only illuminates the subject but also sets the mood, creates depth, and adds a touch of magic to your images. The interplay of light and shadow can turn an ordinary scene into a captivating visual narrative.
Types of Lighting
Natural Light
Harnessing the power of natural light is a skill every photographer should master. The golden hours—early morning and late afternoon—offer soft, warm light that enhances the overall ambiance of your photos. Experiment with different angles to understand how light interacts with your subject.
Artificial Light
Studio photography often relies on artificial lighting, allowing photographers to have precise control over the intensity, direction, and color of light. Continuous lighting and strobes are popular choices, each serving a specific purpose in creating the desired effect.
Understanding Light Direction
The direction from which light falls on your subject significantly impacts the mood and texture of your photograph. Frontal lighting minimizes shadows, while side lighting emphasizes texture and form. Backlighting creates silhouettes and adds drama, making your subject stand out against the background.
Mastering Exposure
Balancing exposure is crucial for achieving well-lit photos. Understand the exposure triangle—aperture, shutter speed, and ISO—to control the amount of light entering your camera. Experiment with different settings to find the perfect exposure for your specific lighting conditions.
Playing with Shadows
Shadows are not to be feared; they can be a powerful tool in creating depth and dimension. Experiment with shadows to add intrigue and mystery to your images. Be mindful of the interplay between light and shadow to convey a sense of drama and emotion.
Color Temperature
Different light sources emit varying color temperatures, affecting the overall tone of your photographs. Learn to adjust white balance to ensure accurate color representation. Daylight, tungsten, and fluorescent lights each have unique characteristics that can be used creatively to enhance your images.
Experimentation and Adaptation
Photography is a dynamic art form, and lighting conditions are ever-changing. Embrace experimentation and be willing to adapt to different scenarios. Learning to work with the available light, whether natural or artificial, will broaden your creative possibilities.
Mastering the art of lighting in photography is a continuous journey of discovery and refinement. By understanding the principles of light and how to manipulate it to your advantage, you can elevate your photography to new heights. So, grab your camera, explore different lighting scenarios, and let the interplay of light and shadow tell your visual story.
Beef/Meat Cutlet – Babitha Joseph
(Babitha lives in Delaware, OH with her husband Dilin and their two children. She is a very enthusiastic chef who likes experimenting with various Kerala meat preparations. Babitha is an IT professional and loves watching movies in her free time.)
Beef cutlet is among the most popular Malayalee appetizers/snacks which is never missed out at parties, especially in Kerala Christian homes. Christmas is around the corner and these cutlets can be the perfect appetizer for your holiday gatherings. Here is the recipe for Kerala style beef cutlet. With 1 kg beef, you can make 25 – 30 cutlets.
Ingredients
Set 1
Beef: 1 kg (~2 lb) – cleaned and chopped into small cubes
Meat masala: 2 tsp (alternately, you can add 1/2 tsp turmeric powder and 1 tsp each of Chilli powder and Coriander powder)
Pepper powder: 1 tsp
Garam masala powder: 1 tsp
Salt: 1/2 tsp
Set 2
Potato: 2 large potatoes (500 g). Take 3, if small/medium.
Set 3
Oil: 3 tbsp (preferably coconut oil)
Onion: 2 large/medium (finely chopped)
Ginger: 1½ inch piece / 2 tbsp (finely chopped)
Garlic: 4 cloves (finely chopped)
Green chillies: 4-5 (finely chopped, adjust the count based on your taste)
Curry leaves: 2-3 sprigs (finely chopped)
Salt: 1/2 tsp (or as needed)
Set 4
Garam masala powder: 2 tsp
Pepper powder: 1 tsp
Fennel powder: 1/2 tsp
Set 5
Egg whites: 2, beaten
Bread crumbs: 1 cup (use store bought, or crushed fresh bread slices)
Oil: as needed to deep fry (preferably coconut oil)
Cooking instructions
Step 1
Marinate the chopped beef with the ingredients in set 1 (meat masala, pepper powder, garam masala, salt) and keep it aside for 30 minutes.
Pressure-cook the marinated beef for 2 – 3 whistles.
Open the pressure cooker lid after 15 minutes.
Saute the beef in the pressure cooker till the excess water dries up.
Let it cool down completely.
Pulse/mince the meat using a food processor or mixer grinder.
Step 2
Boil the potatoes with a pinch of salt till it becomes soft. Peel and mash it once cooked.
Step 3
Heat 3 tbsp oil in a pan.
Add finely chopped onion, ginger, garlic, green chilies, curry leaves and salt (ingredients set 3).
Saute until onion turns soft / light golden color.
Add the spice powders – garam masala, fennel powder, pepper powder (ingredients set 4), and saute for 1 – 2 minutes (until the raw smell of spices are gone).
Add the minced beef, mix well, and continue to saute for 3 – 4 mins till it becomes dry.
Add the mashed potatoes and mix well.
Add 2 tsp of bread crumbs to the mix, which will absorb the excess moisture from the mixture.
Taste check for salt and spices.
Keep stirring for 2 – 3 minutes and switch off.
Allow the mixture to cool down completely.
Step 4
Make small balls out of the beef-potato mixture and roll into desired shapes.
Beat the egg whites.
Dip each cutlet in egg white and then roll with bread crumbs.
Heat oil in a pan over medium high heat.
Deep fry the cutlets until golden brown on both sides.
Keep the temperature medium hot. Avoid overcrowding the pan when frying cutlets.
Drain excess oil on paper towels.
Serve hot with tomato ketchup or onion salad (challas).
Tips
Double coat – Dust the patties in All Purpose Flour / corn flour before dipping in egg white and rolling in bread crumbs to avoid breaking of the cutlets while frying.
You can use cookie cutters to make the cutlets in desired shapes.
The shaped cutlets/patties can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days, or in the freezer for a month.
Enjoy these delicious Kerala style beef cutlets! Wishing you all Happy Holidays!
Meals on Wheels: Year end review – Nish Nishant
(Nish Nishant lives in Worthington, OH with his wife Smitha and son Rohan, and has been coordinating the COMA Meals on Wheels program since 2015.)
The year 2023 saw the highest ever volunteer participation since we kicked off the program in 2015. A total of 67 volunteers participated this year, for a total of 336 hours. We covered 30 routes and delivered meals to approximately 600 homes. Our volunteers drove around 1400 miles to accommodate these route deliveries. These stats do not include the final route for this year on Christmas eve. It’s worth noting that on September 3rd, we also did a 5-route marathon as a kick-off to the 2023 COMA Onam celebrations.
I personally thank all the volunteers for their time and contribution, and also to the EC team for enabling and supporting this initiative. Here’s a list of our highest activity volunteers who participated 2 or more times this year. Hoping to go even higher in 2024.
Smitha Nishant : 5
Rohan Nishant : 4
Rijul Jeyaseelan : 3
Arun Kumar : 3
Adithya Arun : 3
Priya Arun : 3
Aishwarya Arun : 2
Ajith Mohan : 2
Devan Nair : 2
John Patrick : 2
Anitha John : 2
Dannie Rajesh : 2
Stevie Rajesh : 2
Gayatri Thampy : 2
Chris Norton : 2
Sumitra Thampy-Norton : 2
Rajesh Ramachandran : 2
Pranav Rajesh : 2
Valsan Palika : 2
Vijaya Valsan : 2
Vote of Thanks – 2023 COMA EC
Dear COMA patrons,
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our sponsors whose unwavering support has been instrumental in making our events a success. Your continued backing, spanning many years, has been invaluable, and we eagerly anticipate your ongoing support.
We’d like to extend special thanks to the following folks:
Malayalam class teachers
Food committee
Stage performers
Decoration committee
MCs
Carol singers
Coconut Trio
The dedication and teamwork displayed by each of you have been exceptional. The list of contributions is extensive, and while we’d love to call out each individually, it would take us way too long!
We’d also like to express our gratitude to Gopi Haridass, Unni Maash, Valsan Palika, and Thomas Oommen for their consistent support throughout the year in planning and arranging food-related aspects. A special mention goes out to Smitha Nishant for her outstanding work on the COMA Newsletter. Smitha, your contributions have been truly remarkable. Our sincere thanks to Rohan Nishant, a high school student, for stepping up as Web Admin at such short notice and demonstrating exceptional flexibility and availability.
Many within our association participated in the Meal of Wheels initiative, and we extend our thanks to Nish Nishant for spearheading this opportunity for us to contribute to.
We’d also like to highlight the efforts of:
Kiran Joseph and Aravind Venugopalan for help with the Muthukad fundraiser event
Kiran Joseph and Arun Chand for helping with organizing the cricket tournament
Pramod Pudhiyattil for event videos and coordinating the badminton tournament
At our recent Muthukad DAC fundraising event, we successfully raised close to 32K. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this noble cause. As a community, we should take pride in our collective effort. Should you find yourself in India, we encourage you to visit the cause.
The introduction of COMA Talks during our committee year wouldn’t have been possible without Girish Sasankasekhar‘s leadership, which was supported by Rahul RP, Aravind Venugopalan, Sukesh, and the other hosts.
Our gratitude extends to the trustees for entrusting us with the opportunity to lead COMA for the last 18 months, and for their belief in our endeavors.
Finally, a massive thank you goes out to the EC team families. Without your unwavering support, none of the achievements in COMA 2023 would have been possible.
To the incoming committee, we extend our warmest welcome. We hope the COMA community will continue to offer their support to the new EC team, just as you have supported us.
Once again, a sincere thank you from the entire EC team. We wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year ahead!
— COMA EC 2023 (Shibu, Arun, Pradeesh, Sachin, and Roopesh)
