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| Saturday, 12 February 2005 |
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Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam's Fashion show and exhibition to help tsunami affected people The Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam, (Hindu Women's Society) which was founded by a band of Hindu women in 1930 with the main aim of promoting the study of Hindu religion, culture and Tamil language celebrated its 75th Anniversary recently. The Kalagam in keeping with its objectives, started several institutions at different times. There have been difficult times, but through the hard and dedicated work of its members, it has grown steadily.
In the process, it found places for displaced children in school so that they could continue their education in a peaceful atmosphere away from the war. It has also extended its services to the caring of children who have lost their parents and started the Foster parent scheme to rehabilitate them at the Siruvar Illam (Home for Children). At the same time it has also moved its activities into a few backyard villages like Puttalam, Badulla, Passara and Matugama to help the people of these areas in the educational, religious, cultural and social fields. The Hindu Ladies College, a secondary school for girls founded in 1932 by Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam is today the only private school for Hindu Girls in the island. It has grown gradually over the years and has over 2500 children on roll. In 1945 the school for Carnatic Music and Bharatha Natyam was founded. The Sivananda Nilayam which is a religious and cultural centre founded in 1960 conducts daily prayers and weekly bhajans. The Mangaiyar Illam (Hostel) for schoolchildren was founded in 1972. The Balambigai Namasivayam Working Womens' Hostel was founded in 1986. In 1990, the vocational training centre for school leavers in Computer was started. Besides, a scholarship scheme to help displaced 1300 children are benefitted by this scheme. A Yoga Centre for women was started in 1994 with the assistance of the Vivekananda Kendra, Bangalore. In 1994, a Home for Elders was also started. Realizing the pathetic condition of the people who have been affected by the tsunami disaster, the Board Members of the Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam and members of the Hindu Council of Sri Lanka visited Mullaitivu, Batticaloa and various other places and donated cash and food items to the people who have been affected by tidal waves. Furthermore, an organisation called Madhar Sakthi and Women Welfare Society in collaboration with the Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam, have organised 'Swayambu' a special Fashion Show and an Exhibition (SHILPA) with the main aim of helping the people who have been affected by the recent tsunami disaster in various parts of the country and also to assist disabled women who have lost their limbs on account of the two decades of war and also for the expansion of Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam and Namasivayam Home for the Elders. Mrs. Malathi Sivendran, a Science graduate and an active member of the Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam and Mrs. Anusha Mahadevan have made elaborate arrangements to make this event a success. In this special Fashion Show Miss India, Miss Asia, Miss Pacific and Miss Chennai will participate. The show will be launched in association with Anusha Herbal Beauty Care. The unusual Fashion Extravaganza which is to be held on 12th and 13th February 2005 at Holiday Inn commencing from 5.00 p.m. will be choreographed by Vidya Balakrishnan and Shoba Ravishankar of the House of VIBA, the modelling School of India and the whole show will be compered by the famous South Indian actress Kushboo. - Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar |
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Further,
the Kalagam has embarked on humanitarian activities extending its caring
services to refugee families in the Vanni and Batticaloa areas.
