Special Report

DELHI MALAYALI LIFE

Special Report

Delhi Malayali Association (DMA) gets plot in Central Delhi, to move head office

by M.P. PRASANNA KUMAR*

New Delhi: After five decades of successful operation from a small office at West Kidwai Nagar in Delhi, the Delhi Malayali Association finally got government permission to allot a plot of land in Central Delhi to construct its own building. “The Association which has multifarious activities, is functioning in a humble way from a small accommodation at West Kidwai Nagar. We are glad to put on record that Government of India has decided to allot a plot of land in central part of Delhi,” says C.L. Antony, General Secretary, DMA.

Popularising Mohiniyattam and other traditional art forms.

The origin of Delhi Malayali Association (DMA), the premier Malayali association representing a major portion of the 1.2 lakh Malayali population in New Delhi and it surrounding regions, goes back to late 1940s when the progressive movement was gaining momentum. A socio political and cultural body representing the ordinary Malayali workers in Delhi, its original name was Kerala Thozhilali Sangham – it was more or less an extension of various organisations formed in different parts of Kerala as part of a mass movement. Reflecting the gradual changes that occurred in the left movement, the DMA is also transformed into an ordinary platform for ordinary Malayalis to indulge in debates, discussions, entertainment, charity and other socio-political activities. According to A.V. Bhaskaran, President, DMA represents more than 20,000 Malayali families spread in different parts of Delhi. Even though it started as an organisation representing ordinary Malayalis, its current membership covers the affluent and poor sections of Delhi Malayalis. Last year, it celebrated Gold Jubilee.

Thousands of Malayalis are settled in different parts of the county. Malayalis are omnipresent –whether it is Delhi, Madras, Calcutta, Hydrabad, Baroda, Gauhati, Bombay, Pune, Banglore, Lucknow, Jaipur or any remote place in India. Educated Keralites are bound to go in search of greener pastures as the economic opportunities are limited in the state. According to a cynical observer, if two or three Malayalis come together, they will form an association. Popular leaders like A.K.Gopalan, E.M.S, Edathatt Narayanan, C. Krishnan Nair, Cheriyan Thomas, Rascot Krishna Pillai were involved in the formation and development of DMA into a mass organisation. According to C.L. Antoney, Secretary General, DMA took active interest in educating ordinary Malayalis in Delhi.

President K.R. Narayanan inaugurating DMA Onam Celebrations

In the early years of its formation, the organisation taught English and Malayalam to the less privileged Delhi Malayalis –the main strength of DMA. Educational activities of the Association led to the formation of Kerala Education Society. As early as 1957, DMA took initiative to start a school in the present Kerala House compound. In order to encourage meritorious Malayali students, DMA gives awards and scholarships. It also encourages Malayalam language education through special courses during vacation periods. According to Antoney, a large number of Delhi Malayali students are not studying Malayalam in their schools. Occasionally literacy classes are conducted for the benefit of slum dwellers of Delhi. (Kerala Education Society)

Kalaripayattu: DMA fight to capture Delhi Malyali mind.

DMA has also been associated with the development of International Center for Kathakali to its present status as a famous institute for teaching and research in Kathakali outside Kerala. It has been promoting the cultural heritage of Kerala by organising kalaripayattu, kathakali, mohiniyattam etc. As part of its campaign to promote traditional and modern art forms, it organises Malayalam Drama and Malayalam Film Festivals. For encouraging budding writers, DMA organises competition for writing short story, poetry and plays. The Annual All-Delhi Athletics meet organised by the Association attracts large number of participants. The Women’s Wing organises regular classes for cooking, tailoring, dance, vocal and instrumental music in different regions of Delhi. It has been taking active interest in improving train travel facility to Kerala.

DMA affairs are managed by a Central Executive Committee elected by the General Council for a two year term. The current Executive Council elected in November 1998 is headed by President A.V. Bhaskaran, Vice Presidents S. Jithendranath and V.G. Ramana Das, General Secretary, C.L. Antony, Additional Secretary General K.Sundaresan, Treasurer R.M.S. Nair, Joint Treasurer N.P.Shivan, Internal Auditor V.K.N. Nambiar and Junior Internal Auditor K.V. Manikantan. V.Suresh, Managing Director, HUDCO is the chief patron of the Central Committee. Current committee members are Mrs. Ponnamma Nair, P.B Kurup, U. Radhakrishnan, C.P.Mohanan, C.K.Reghu, U.Radhakrishnan, C. Chandran and K.S.Muraleedharan.

M.P. PRASANNA KUMAR, KERALAMONITOR.COM CORRESPONDENT, NEW DELHI.