Dubai: Dubai Tamil association’s “Cittirai Seeradal “(Spring season celebrations) function was celebrated on 20-04-2012, Friday, at the India club Durbar hall in a grand manner.

Mrs.Gayathri Chandrasekhar, the secretary of the association, welcomed & wished the members, and the function commenced with the reciting of the Tamil anthem. The president of the association Meenakumari Padmanabhan expressed through poems, the Nandana year wishes.. She also informed that in the elections conducted last month, the members has asked the present committee to continue , as per their wishes, the committee has again took the responsibility and has started functioning.

This festival is based on the significance of the Cittirai month (the first month of the Hindu year, which comes in between April to May), and in order to reminisce the Cittira Pournami (full moon day), several programs like Kallazhagar Varugai (the arrival of Lord Kallazhagar) designed by Indhu Padmanabhan, the dance on Meenakshi Thirukalyanam (Goddess Meenakshi marriage), the abinayam (facial & body expressions) of 12 children, were staged. Beautiful Tamil flowed in the tones of the small kids, when they spoke on how to recognize gratitude, the Kurals (Couplet) coming in Athigarams, the kurals and their meanings.

Mrs. Meenakumari Padmanabhan spoke on the topic “Sollukul Sugam (Happiness in words)”.Her explanations indicated that whatever we learnt is not even equal to a handful of sand, and there is still a lot more to be learnt. In order to honor the Babasaheb Ambedkar, who implemented the Indian franchise law, Pavai Koothu conceived by Mrs. SriRanga Naachiyaar, was beautifully expressed by three small kids.
Likewise since the birth and demise of Pavendar Bharathidasan, falls in the Cittirai month, some of his songs were staged to honor him .His “Tamiluku amudhu yenru Paer (The name of Tamil is nectar)”was sung by three children under the skilful training of Master Babu. Their voice flowed like a gentle cascade and enthralled the audience. The spring season is the greenish period of a year, and in order to welcome it, Mrs. Sujatha Vishwanath conceived a comedy skit (short drama) titled“Vasandhathil Oru Naal (A day in the spring season)”, which was performed by nine children. They impressed the audience with their extraordinary performances. Folk dances are a regular feature in Chariot festivals, but most of the people don’t know much about it. In order to make everyone aware of this traditional ballet, four association members performed folk dance and impressed the audience. The performances given by 4 kids, who came as supporting artistes for the folk dance were also remarkable. Mrs. Gayathri Chandrasekhar &Mrs.Sarada Hari conceived the folk dance.

Mrs. Gayathri Chandrasekhar thanked all those who participated in the function.

True to the words of Tagore, that festival & occasions are the only open entrance through which one can communicate with the people; the Cittirai Seeradal was conducted in a grand manner. Prizes were given for all the children, who participated on the occasion. The members complimented saying that the tasty food has filled their stomach and heart. This indicated that still new innovations can be made.