Festival of Kerala – an explosion of Indian folk expression

Hundreds of Malayalees – the Kerala Indian commuity living in Botswana –celebrated their Keralaotsavam or Festival of Kerala this past Saturday at Maitisong hall, Maru-a-Pula secondary school. Held under the auspices of Kerala Samajam Botswana, the festival brought together the over 600-strong Kerala Community that resides and works in different parts of Botswana under one roof to share, reminisce and celebrate their culture in song, dance and to showcase their traditional attire. Dignitaries, among them former President Festus Mogae, India’s High Commissioner to Botswana, Dr Rajesh Ranjan and his wife, Dr. Upma Ranjan as well as Russian and Japanese envoys and the president of Kerala Samajan Botswana Sreejith Alakkat – graced the event. Making a keynote address, former president Mogae extolled the importance of the festival as an ocassion to people-to-people diplomacy. Having visited the State of Kerala in southern India on three ocassions, Mogae, eho turns 80 this year, said the festival helps to cement the bonds and ties that exist betweenthe peoples of Botswana and India. It was however, not so much the speeches that the excited crowds yearned to hear instead they wanted to be immersed in the line-up of cultural events displayed in folk and contemporary song and dance. The items on display in the various colourful array of presentation were performed by 130 participants under the able guidance of 12 dhoreographers, all of whom were given mementos at the end of every musical or dramatic show. Among the repertoire on show were Mohiniyatam – one of eght classical dances of India that was developed and remains popular in Kerala; Thiiruvathira – a Hindu festival celebrated in Kerala ss the birthday of Lord Shiva; there was also the Oppana- a popular form of social entertainment among the Mappila – these are the Kerala Muslims as well as Kerala nadanam – a relatively new style of dance curreently recognised as a distinct art form mevolved from Kathakali, which is a form of Indian dance-drana. The performances continued until midnight and were punctuated by dinner; cinematic shows and prize giving breaks during which guests and patrons enjoyed sumptuous Indian meals. According to one of the Kerala Salamajan Botswana committee member, members of the Kerala Community comprise largely of professional Accontants and Teachers and have only recently ventured into the business side. The patron of the association is Ramgoolam (Ram) of the Choppies brand; while some of the business-minded Kerala community membersare found in the gas and oil industry; Botho University; and accounting firms.This community is revered for having bequeathed Botswana with the first Indian doctor, Dr. Nair, who worked at Princess Marina Hosiptal and is renowned for having attended to the health of former presidents – the late Sir Ketumile Masire and former president Festus Mogae. She and her husband, one of the pioneering engineers at RoadsTransport and Safety will be retiring to India very soon.