Local Malayalee group celebrates Christmas
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The Brandon Malayalee Association (BMA) marked the holiday season with a vibrant Christmas celebration on Saturday evening at Knox United Church.
The event also formally inaugurated the association’s newly elected board of directors.
The gathering was the group’s first major public event since becoming a registered not-for-profit organization, bringing together families and guests for an evening of music, dance and cultural expression rooted in Kerala, a southern state of India.
MUDRA School of Indian Dance kids perform a traditional dance during the Brandon Malayalee Association Christmas celebration on Saturday evening at Knox United Church. (Abiola Odutola/The Brandon Sun)
The association represents people who speak Malayalam, one of India’s many languages, and who trace roots to Kerala, a region known for its diverse landscapes and strong traditions of social harmony, president Musthafa Parambu told the Sun.
“Malayalis come from a place where people of different religions live together in harmony,” Parambu said. “That culture is what we want to reflect here as well.”
Saturday’s celebration highlighted that spirit of inclusion, with participants from Christian, Muslim and Hindu backgrounds taking part in a Christmas program traditionally celebrated by Malayali Christians in December, he said.
Parambu, a Muslim, noted the significance of leading a Christmas event as president of the association.
“This is something we want to highlight,” he said. “All the performers on stage are not Christians. We all participate in each other’s festivals, and that’s how we work together as a community.”
The evening featured about 18 performances, including songs and dances by children and adults from the Malayalee community. A visit from Santa Claus delighted younger attendees, while cultural presentations showcased Kerala traditions alongside a broader celebration of Christmas.
In addition to the festivities, the association officially inaugurated its board of directors. Thirteen board members were elected through a voting process, Parambu said, noting that while some positions were uncontested, the board was formed through an election rather than appointment. Parambu was elected president after the only other nominee withdrew from the race.
The Brandon Malayalee Association had previously organized smaller, informal gatherings, but Parambu said formal registration will allow the group to engage more effectively with the wider community.
“With an association and elected office-bearers, we can operate in a more organized and formal way,” he said.
Looking ahead, Parambu said the BMA plans to host additional cultural and social events, including summer festivals, while also incorporating Canadian elements into its programming.
“Canada is our home now,” he said. “We want to bring together Kerala culture and Canadian culture and build that connection here in Brandon.”
» aodutola@brandonsun.com
» X: @AbiolaOdutola