Christmas Carol Competition 2014
/Western Sydney Malayalee Association had its first Ecumenical Christmas Carol Competition at the Redgum Function Centre, Wentworthville. Attended by around 300 people, this event was an excellent family get together too.
The program started with an acknowledgement to the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which the event took place. Before the programs kicked off, there was also a stand in silence for one minute, paying tribute to Sydney Siege victims Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson, eight children dead after a stabbing incident in Queensland and over 130 people (most of them innocent children) died after Taliban militants stormed an Army school in the Pakistani city of Peshawar.
Joseph Kalarickal gave a warm welcome speech that left the audience at ease and eagerly waiting for the upcoming events. All the four priests then joined for the prayer and lighting of lamp. Fr. Mathews A. Mathew of Bethel Mar Thoma Church lead the opening prayer followed by lighting of lamps by each of the priests.
Divya Benoy gave an excellent introduction to Smitha Balu, Ramesh Vijay and Murali Venkataraman, the judging panel of the competition.
Six choir groups participated in the carol competition. These were Bethel Marthoma Church Sydney, St. Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Catholic Community, Wentworthville, St. Mary's Indian Orthodox Church Sydney, St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church Sydney, St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Community Campbelltown, and Syro-Malankara Catholic Community Sydney.
The priests who attended the function include Rev. Fr. Benny David of St Mary's Indian Orthodox Church, Rev. Fr. Joseph Kunnappilly of St Mary's Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Rev. Mathews A Mathew of Bethel Mar Thoma Church and Rev. Fr. Joby Kadambattuparambil of Syro-Malabar, Parramatta.
Fr. Joby Kadambattuparambil gave a beautiful message of Christmas. He also touched upon love and brotherhood as expressed by all the religions and cultures of India.
The carol competition was mingled with entertainment programs. There were solo performances by Aleena Anil, Joju Abraham and Vimal Vinodan. To change things up on the night of songs, there was an awesome group dance performance by Hanna Mariya Jiju, Sandra Sebastian, Anne Maria Berly, Sharlette Jo, Ammu Punnackal and Aleena Deby.
Loveena Ann Varghese re-told us the story of Christmas in a three minutes speech without any reference. A great description of Christmas. A wonderful job done by a 7 year old.
The night got spiced up and ended off with a hilarious mimicry performance by Bipin Devasia that was ably supported by James Chacko.
Finally, the judges announced their verdict. They gave a brief description of how they evaluated the contestants based on pitch, rhythm, presentation and blending of voices. The first prize of ever rolling trophy and cash award went to Bethel Marthoma Church team. The WeSMA Rolling Trophy for first prize was distributed by Fr. Benny David. Cash award of $750 sponsored by Punnackal Financial Services was distributed by Varghese Punnackal. The second prize of ever rolling trophy and cash award went to St. Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Catholic Community team. The WeSMA Rolling Trophy for second prize was distributed by Fr Joseph Kunnapilly. Cash award of $500 sponsored by Peterson Travel was distributed by Eldho Jiju Peter.
Other sponsors of this event included Neil Lawyers, Blue Moon Restaurant, Move Realty and Chris A James Photography.
In her vote of thanks, Divya Binoy gave a sincere attempt to thank everyone who has made the event a success. It was indeed her way of showing appreciation with heartfelt words of gratitude.
The program ended with a satisfying dinner catered by Blue Moon Restaurant.
