Eyal Eindhoven the group of Indian Tamils in Greater Eindhoven came together to celebrate the Tamil new year last month. About 300 Tamils united to celebrate the Tamil new year. Eindhoven News is the media partner for this event.
A colourful evening
The celebration started with an invocation to the Tamil Mother (personification of Tamil statehood) and followed by devotional songs. The 2- and 3-year-old enchanted the audience with a themed walk.
While the 4- and 5-year-olds danced to latest Tamil songs.
Many applauded a folk dance by 6- and 7-year- olds. However, the 8- to 10-year-olds enchanted the gathering in their red costume and magical performance.
The singing and literary performances along with instrumental music compositions livened the evening. The ambience gave an aura of an Indian function. The place was filled with laughter and joy and everyone swelled with a feeling of oneness. As much as the venue was loud and overcrowded.
Performances by children outnumbered those by the adults. Furthermore, a finely enacted comedy skit was also on the menu. A professional Bharathanatyam display enthralled the audience among the 25 performances in all.
Thoughts and opinions
A mom of an 8-year-old quipped, “It’s a rare platform for my child to perform in his home language and I am thankful for the initiative.” The numbers who attended rose from 200 to 300 this year. There are many activities and small gatherings that occur throughout the year, however, this is the annual mega gettogether.
Children made use of the opportunity and made merry the whole evening. Most children said they would miss the fun of meeting their friends every week in the guise of dance/singing practise. A child gushes, “During practise sessions, we could eat many goodies which we are usually refrained from eating and moreover practise sessions felt like playdates”. A grandparent on a visit adds “happy to see children and adults bond and appreciate the Tamil culture and lifestyle. This is a good occasion for the children to learn Tamil poems and acquaint themselves with Tamil literature which probably would not be feasible otherwise”. An art competition was conducted and the children were appreciated with certificates and prizes.
Support and patronage
Holland Expat Center South, Eindhoven News and Expat spouse Initiative support the event in addition to the other programme sponsors.
Eindhoven News reporter: Beena Arunraj
