As Pravasi Express enters into its seventh year, the sixth year annual function was celebrated with pomp and splendor on the 14th of July 2018. The function was held at Kallang Theatre, Singpaore and was attended by an audience of thousand over people. It was a show for the family with local talents as well as global artists from India namely Vani Jairam, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Abhijeet Kollam, Vaishnav Girish, Praseeda, Aishwarya Lekshmi and Lakshmi Vijayan, enthralling the audience with their energetic performances. The artists were ably supported by an orchestra led by Palakkad Murali and our very own Krisha Kumar from Singapore.
The function was presided over by Mr. Lee Hong Chuang BBM, Advisor, Hougang Grassroot Organisation and Mr. Gopinath Pilla, Ambassador at Large, Singapore. Mr. Lee was the Guest of Honour and Mr. Gopinath Pillai was the Chief Guest. The function started with the traditional “lighting of the lamp ceremony”. Mr. Lee, Mr. Pillai, Ms. Vani Jairam, Mr. Rajesh Kumar (Chief Editior Pravasi Express), Mr. Basil Baby (Secretary SKKN) graced the stage with their presence.
Mr. Gopinath Pillai addressed the audience about the intention of Pravasi Express, when it was initiated in the year 2012 and the contribution and progress Pravasi Publications have made over the years. He mentioned that Pravasi Express has managed to publish good content beneficial to the Malayalee Diaspora in Singapore and the region.
Mr. Lee in his address, appreciated on the good work done by Pravasi Express. He spoke about how Pravasi Express has contributed by promoting both cultural programs and honoring the champions of the Malayali Diaspora besides the media field. He mentioned how along with other Singapore Registered Associations, Pravasi Express too is doing their best for the integration our main stream society and the Malayali or Indian Expatriate communities for a Racially Integrated Society In Singapore.
The musical extravaganza, started off, with National Award Winner Ms. Vani Jairam rendering some mesmerizing and melodious numbers in Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi. The audience were in awe listening to the divine voice of Ms. Vaniji (Meera of modern India) as she is fondly called. Ms. Vani Jairam was also accorded with the PE Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was handed over by Mr. Gopinath Pillai. The other awardees were
Special Category Awards
PE Special Awards -Excellence in Visual Arts -Jaleela Niaz
PE Special Awards -Excellence in Art & Culture- Hema Malini. V
PE Special Awards -Excellence in Visual Arts -Jaleela Niaz
PE Special Awards -Excellence in Art & Culture- Hema Malini. V
Main Awards
PE Lifetime Achievement Award – Vani Jairam
PE Business Excellence Award – Shera Thampi -Dowser Group
PE Business Excellence Award – Phillip Michael -Y Axis
PE Business Excellence Award – Prabhiraj N – Aris Group
PE Art and Culture Excellence Award – MM Dollah
PE Vanitha Ratnam Award – Annie Libu
PE Social Excellence Award – C M Ashhraf Ali -Malaysia
PE Award for Best Singer – Abhijith Kollam
PE Youth Icon Award – Aiswarya Lekshmi
PE Acting Excellence Award – Suraj Venjaramood
PE Business Excellence Award – Shera Thampi -Dowser Group
PE Business Excellence Award – Phillip Michael -Y Axis
PE Business Excellence Award – Prabhiraj N – Aris Group
PE Art and Culture Excellence Award – MM Dollah
PE Vanitha Ratnam Award – Annie Libu
PE Social Excellence Award – C M Ashhraf Ali -Malaysia
PE Award for Best Singer – Abhijith Kollam
PE Youth Icon Award – Aiswarya Lekshmi
PE Acting Excellence Award – Suraj Venjaramood
Another National Award Winner Mr. Suraj Venjaramoodu tickled the funny bones with his mimicry of famous personalities from the social and entertainment industry. It was a treat for the audience who thoroughly enjoyed the skits performed by Mr. Suraj. Noted singers such as Abhijit Kollam, Lakshmi Vijayan, Praseeda and Vishnav equally entertained the audience with their wonderful voice and energy. Engaging the audience,was no mean task and the entire cast was successful in keeping them entertained.
Local talent also got a chance to display their skills and got appreciated by the audience equally. The function was emcee’d by Sreyus P and Gayatri Gopal and were engaging with cast with their wonderful presence. A big thanks goes to all the volunteers for their tireless effort behind the scene, to make this function a grand success.
