Showcase of Exceptional Talent and Artistic Excellence by KALA Members
The Kerala Arts and Literary Association (KALA) UK held its 29th Annual Day celebrations on 18th October 2025 at the Centenary Theatre, Berkhamsted School in Hertfordshire.
This year’s celebration was especially memorable, featuring Oscar-winning sound designer Dr. Resul Pookutty, of Slumdog Millionaire fame, as the chief guest and recipient of the prestigious KALA Puraskaram.
The celebration began with a traditional Thalappoli procession, performed by young girls to welcome the chief guest, followed by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp.
In his heartfelt address, Dr. Pookutty praised the contributions of Pravasi Malayalees in promoting art and culture across the world. “Every Malayalee carries their village with them wherever they go,” he remarked, drawing warm applause from the audience.
During his interactive session, Dr. Pookutty shared insights from his remarkable career as a sound artist, presenting clips from Slumdog Millionaire and demonstrating how sound enhances the mood, environment, and emotion in cinema.
KALA President Dr. Nanu Kandiyil delivered the welcome address, and KALA Patron P.K. Sukumaran Nair expressed gratitude to all members and volunteers for their dedication and teamwork.
Unni Chowallur and Padma Menon hosted the evening with charm and grace, keeping the audience engaged throughout.
A highlight of the evening was the release of KALA’s esteemed annual publication, The Palam Leaf. Dr. Hema Santhosh, Editor-in-Chief, thanked the editorial team and all contributors for their timely submissions and support. This year’s edition is dedicated to the late M.T. Vasudevan Nair, carrying KALA’s personal homage to the legendary writer and filmmaker whose passing has left a deep void in Malayalam literature and cinema.
The event was a grand cultural celebration, featuring dance, music, and theatre performances by KALA’s talented members from across the UK. Many attendees travelled long distances to be part of this annual cultural gathering.
Among the highlights was the all-female stage play Sajeevanan, a touching portrayal of sisterhood and the challenges faced by women in Kerala—addressing education, domestic struggles, and social pressures. The entire production, including set design and props, was created by women.
Another major attraction was the in-house stage adaptation of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer’s classic മുച്ചീട്ടുകളിക്കരന്റെ മകൾ (Mucheettukalikkarante Makal -The Card Player’s Daughter). The humorous yet emotional story of Ottakkannan Poker, his daughter Sainaba, and her lover Mandan Muthappa was brought to life with creativity, music, and nostalgic touches such as the scenes of the bustling local market.
As a tribute to M.T. Vasudevan Nair, one of Kerala’s greatest writers and filmmakers, three dance sequences based on his films – Nirmalyam (നിര്മ്മാല്യം), Parinayam (പരിണയം), and Vaisali (വൈശാലി) – were performed with energy, grace, and artistic depth.
The Evolutionary Universe
Another thought-provoking session was the presentation directed by Dr. P.K. Sukumaran Nair on “The Evolutionary Universe”. It explored fascinating parallels between modern scientific theories and insights from Vedic literature, particularly the Rig Veda. The presentation illustrated the ancient concept of Panchikaranam, explaining how pollution caused by wars could accelerate environmental decline, potentially influencing the next great cosmic cycle of the universe — a process that may unfold over billions of years.
A delicious dinner was served during the interval, adding to the sense of community and celebration.
The evening concluded with a musical concert by KALA’s in-house musicians, presenting a delightful mix of melodies – romantic, nostalgic, and soulful – leaving the audience deeply moved.
The 29th KALA Annual Day once again showcased the association’s commitment to promoting Malayalee culture, literature, and performing arts in the UK, reaffirming its place as one of the most active and creative cultural organisations in the diaspora.
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