CHICAGO: The 2010 gala dinner hosted by the Malaysian Chicago Club (MCC) on October 9 at Jumbo House Buffet turned out to be a grand and unique affair.
Imagine an event where various vibrant cultures of the largest continent in the world Asia, come together – from Kuchipudi to Karaoke, Kabuki to Kathakali, Feng Shui to Taiko drumming. In such a cultural extravaganza, bright and glitzy items were staged. The events were compered by Yogan Ponnusamy, vice president, MCC and Yin Kean, one of the founding members and past president of MCC.
Ponnusamy said that the purpose of the evening was to promote social activities within the Malaysian community here in Chicago, including, working with Americans and Asians from other countries in sharing different cultures and activities. “This is our Annual Gala with performances from Malay Kompang, Chinese Shao Lin Kung Fu and the Indian Bharat Natyam dances, showing the cultures in Malaysia made up of three races, Malays, Chinese and Indians.”
The program had raffle presentations, cultural dance performances of China and India and appearances by the Consul Generals of Indonesia and China. It was attended by Gene Lee, Director of Asian American affairs with Mayor Daley, Consul General Beeny Bahanadewa from Indonesia, Tan Sri Roger Bertelson, USA rep. to Malaysia and Monir Choudhry, representative from Embassy of Bangladesh.
The cultural program was a fusion of various Asian traditional dance performances which included Pranavakaram or dance offering, an introductory item in Bharat Natyam repertoire which was choreographed by Vanitha Veeravalli from The Bharatam Group.
The item in praise of Lord Ganesha was presented by Avni Dave, Anjaney Maley, Tanvi Kulkarni, Neha Narayan and Satvika Veeravalli.
Kannan Varugindra’s Krishna’s arrival was presented by Annu Mutholam, Sapna Sibu, Maryann Manaparambil and Sutikshna Veeravalli. Azhagu Deivam on Lord Muruga was presented by Ankitha Nathan, Shreya Narayan, Sathvika Ashok Kumar and Umayal Roja Swarnam. Tillana was presented by Annu Mutholam, Maryann Manaparambil, Sutikshna Veeravalli and Satvika Veeravalli.
Chinese Shao Lin Kung Fu was another big attraction of the evening. This martial art shows strength, self-defense, confidence and athletic ability meshed among many styles.
Mohammed Ghouse
