The Indian diaspora communities are back celebrating their festivals after the hiatus due to Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns and restrictions. This Sunday (April 24) saw the members of the Auckland Malayalis community coming together with much pomp and fanfare to celebrate Vishu and Easter at the Blockhouse Bay Community Centre, Auckland.
Organised by the Auckland Malayali Samajam, the event aimed to unite Indian culture with other traditions and cultures.
While Vishu marks the new year festival in Kerala and is dedicated to is celebrated by worshipping Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna, Easter is one of the most important religious festivals of the Christian liturgical year.
It saw members from different religious backgrounds coming together to celebrate these two beautiful festivals.
Honorary Consul of India in Auckland Bhav Dhillon, who was the special guest at the celebration, spoke enlightening words about Kerala at the event. “It was an honour celebrating Vishu, Easter, and Anzac Day with our Malayali diaspora in Auckland. It was a great showcase of the multicultural DNA of our Indian diaspora.” Dhillon said about the evening.
Other dignitaries at the event included Transport Minister Michael Wood, ACT Party Leader David Seymour and Labour MP for New Lynn, Deborah Russell.
A proud Auckland Malayali Samajam’s President, Soby Bernard Thomas, said, “For us, "Malayalis, these two festivals Easter and Vishu, usually get lined up so close to each other, representing religious, cultural & seasonal importance in this time of the season. Pandemic has ripped through our community events since August 1 with Delta and then with Omicron. However, it has failed to dampen the vibrant community spirit, and rather we have learned to live alongside pandemic with our events. While we are now in orange traffic light settings, we are proud to host this event for our wider Whanau.”
The association honoured Venkat Raman, who was recently appointed as a member of the NZ Order of Merits and Joseph Kuriakose, who was recently appointed as Justice of Peace, for their exemplary service to Indian and Malayali communities.
While Rev.Dr.Joseph Zachariah Maramkandam Cor Episcopa delivered an Easter message, Er. Arun Sasidharan RNZAF, a proud member of the organisation gave the ANZAC remembrance message.
The traditional ceremonies culminated with colourful cultural and dance performances and a sumptuous meal, Vishu Sadhya.
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