JEDDAH — A well-known Indian journalist and cultural figure underscored the need for further enhancing the India-Arab cultural exchange. C.P. Saidalavi, chairman of a Kerala-based cultural academy and editor of Chandrika daily, claimed that his academy is making great strides in this regard. In an interview with Saudi Gazette, Saidalavi, who is chairman of Mahakavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar Mappila Kala Academy, said that the academy is instrumental in highlighting and preserving the strong historical bonds that have bound India with the Arab countries since centuries. “The academy is giving thrust to boost the Islamic culture and folk arts. The arrival of Arab traders to Kerala, located on the eastern coast of the Arabian sea, even before the Prophet's time, had played a vital role in the spread of Islam firstly in this part of the Indian Subcontinent,” he said while drawing attention to the factors that led to the spread of Islamic and Arab cultures in Kerala. Saidalavi said that there have been thousands of Muslim literary works and songs in Arabi Malayalam in which Arabic script was used. Until the 20th century, the script was widely taught to all Muslims in Kerala, and it is still popular in the northern region of Malabar. “The academy, which is under the ministry of culture, is shouldering a mammoth task of collecting old manuscripts of these rare literary treasures. Construction works of a cultural museum, costing Rs8 million, are nearing completion in addition to establishing an Arabi Malayalam research library,” he said, citing numerous achievements of the academy to preserve the unique Islamic traditions and culture. Saidalavi, a veteran journalist, is also known as one of the eminent writers specialized in various aspects of Indian minority politics. He was recently presented with Rahim Mechery Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to minority political empowerment. Prominent Indian Muslim leader and Member of Parliament E.T. Muhammad Basheer gave away the award to Saidalavi at a function held at Lucky Darbar restaurant auditorium here. The award, consisted of cash prize and memento, was instituted by the Jeddah Kondotty chapter of Kerala Muslim Cultural Center (KMCC). Basheer, who is also national secretary of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), delivered Mechery memorial speech. He paid tribute to the multifaceted personality of Mechery who died in an accident in 2004 while serving as editor of Chandrika daily, the mouth piece of Muslim League. “Like Mechery, Saidalavi also can rightly be called as a walking encyclopedia as far as Indian minority politics is concerned. Though the articles of Saidalavi are packed with ideas, people are fond of reading them thanks to his extraordinary sense of humor,” Basheer said. P.V. Abdul Wahab, secretary of Kerala IUML and former member of parliament, inaugurated the function, which was presided over by M.K. Naushad, president of Kondotty KMCC. K.P. Muhammad Kutty, president of Saudi KMCC, Hameed Vanimel, Musafir, Rayin Kutty Neerad, C.K. Shakir, Ahmed Palayat, Abubacker Arimbra, Pazheri Kunhimohammed, V.P. Muhammadali, K.V.A Ghafour, Abdul Majeed Naha, Ismail Mundakkulam, V.P. Musthafa and P.V. Hassan Siddique Babu spoke on the occasion. Sayyid Mashoud Thangal paid tribute to Mechery by singing a song composed by Usman Edathil. Basheer Thottiyan welcomed the gathering while Sultan Thavanoor proposed the vote of thanks.
