[gallery size="medium" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" td_gallery_title_input="Keralites' literary forum holds Sneha Sangamam fest" ids="119691,119722,119723,119720,119719"]JEDDAH – Jeddah Kala Sahithya Vedi, a cultural and literary forum of Keralite community, celebrated its ‘Sneha Sangamam' fest at Impala Garden auditorium in Sharafiyyah. A function to honor winners of its talent award in four categories, as well as cultural programs were held as part of the festival. Senior Keralite journalist Musafir inaugurated the fest. Hassan Cheruppa of Saudi Gazette (media), well-known short story writer Rubeena Niwas (literature), Noted singer Kalabhavan Dhanya Prasanth (art), and prominent social worker Ismail Mundakkulam (social service) were the winners. Awards were presented to them by Musafir, Gopinath Nedungadi, Sayyid Mashhood Thangal, and Abdul Majeed Naha respectively. Usman master Ozhukoor, convener of the program committee, presided over the function. Those who delivered felicitation speeches included V.K. Rauf, patron of Navodaya Cultural Forum, Shanavas Thalappil, principal of Talal International School, Anvarshaja Vengasseeri, principal of Al-Hayat International School, Gopinath Nedungadi, Abdul Majeed Naha, C.K. Shakir, secretary of Jeddah Central Committee of Kerala Muslim Cultural Center, Sayyid Mashhood Thangal, Sadiqali Thuvvur, general secretary of Jeddah Media Forum, Abu Chulliyode, president of Abdul Latif Jameel Toastmasters Club, and Hamza Puthalath, president of Kala Sahithya Vedi. During the function, a sendoff was given to prominent cultural activist Thottiyan Basheer of Jeevan TV, who is leaving for India for good. Sameer Illikkal, chairman of Kala Sahithya Vedi, presented him a memento. Earlier, Illikkal welcomed the gathering and Nasser Taniyabadam proposed a vote of thanks. Students from Talal International School and Al-Hayat International School mesmerized the audience with their fantastic performance. These included mimes, dance, group songs and popular Muslim folk art forms of oppana and kolkkali. The organizers of the fest included Abdul Razaq, Shawkath Vellila, Ayyub Khan, Jaafar P.V. Abdurahmankutty, Shamsu Eledath, Shihab Vellila, Shareef Ponmala, Abdullahkutty Baqawi, Haskar Illikkal, and Sakeer.
