NAMAM organized vibrant and unforgettable festival, a true feast for the senses.

The event proved to be a celebration of tradition, talent, and togetherness, delighting both the eyes and ears of everyone in attendance. For 15 years, NAMAM (North American Malayalee & Associated Members) has been organizing such cultural events as part of its ongoing mission to celebrate heritage, foster community spirit, and promote artistic excellence among the Malayalee and broader Indian diaspora across North America.

This year’s Grand Cultural Festival was held on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the Sri Guruvayurappan Temple in Morganville, New Jersey. The all-day celebration commenced at 10:00 AM with a warm welcome address by Mr. Pradeep Menon, President of NAMAM, who greeted the distinguished Gurus, performers from over 20 renowned dance and music teams, and the audience for their enthusiastic participation in making the event a success.

Mr. Menon then invited Mr. Madhavan Nair, Patron and Secretary General, and Founder of NAMAM Inc., to formally inaugurate the festival. The ceremony began with the traditional lighting of the lamp by Mr. Madhavan Nair, joined by Mr. Geatesh Tampy (Trustee Board Chair), Mr. Pradeep Menon (President), Ms. Bindu Satya (Secretary), Mr. Cyriac Abraham (Treasurer), Ms. Priya Subramaniam (Cultural Chair), Ms. Malini Nair (Women’s Chair), Mr. Harikrishnan Rajmohan (Youth Chair), Mr. Abhijith Shirodkar (Chair, Webmaster), and Ms. Chitra Pillai (Executive Committee Member).

In his inaugural speech, Mr. Nair dedicated this year’s event to the late Ms. Sudha Narayanan, a pioneering force and guiding spirit behind NAMAM’s cultural initiatives. In a touching tribute, Mr. Nair presented a commemorative plaque to Mr. Narayanan, honoring his wife’s immense contributions to the organization. Mr. Narayanan was warmly welcomed on stage, where he shared heartfelt memories and reflected on his late wife’s enduring legacy within NAMAM.

Special recognition was given to Ms. Priya Subramaniam, Chair of the Cultural Forum, and Ms. Malini Nair, Chair of the Women’s Forum, for their exemplary leadership in organizing and overseeing the festival from conception to completion.

A major highlight of the day was the mesmerizing musical extravaganza by Guru T.S. Nanda Kumar (TSN’s Percussive Arts Centre Inc.) and his students, whose performance captivated the audience and stood out as one of the festival’s defining moments.

The event brought together some of New Jersey’s most respected dance and music institutions, providing a prestigious platform for students and their Gurus to showcase their talent. In recognition of their dedication and artistry, participating students, teachers (Gurus), and schools were honored with mementos and certificates. Over 250 performers participated, presenting an impressive array of Indian classical and semi-classical music and dance forms that highlighted the richness of India’s cultural traditions.

The festival concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Geatesh Tampy, Trustee Board Chair, who expressed gratitude to all Gurus, performers, and volunteers for their unwavering commitment to the arts. He also extended appreciation to Dr. Latha Nair (Chair, STREAM Project) for coordinating with the temple, Mr. Shiva for managing lights and sound, and Mr. Karthick for photography.

Special acknowledgments were also extended to Mr. Hari Krishnan Rajmohan (Chair, Youth Affairs), Mr. Abhijith Shirodkar (Chair, Webmaster), Ms. Chitra Pillai (Executive Committee Member), Mr. Satya, Mr. Subramaniam, and Ms. Navya Subramaniam for their valuable support and contributions in ensuring the smooth execution and grand success of the event.
The festival received overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, who praised it as a “true feast for the eyes and ears.” Many in the audience even suggested that NAMAM consider extending the festival to a two-day celebration in the future, a testament to the community’s enthusiasm and the event’s resounding success.