Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), under the aegis of the Embassy of India, Qatar, in association with ICC Malayali AOs, presented Keralam Piravi Celebrations 2026 on November 1, at Ideal Indian School Grounds, bringing together the Indian expatriate community to celebrate Kerala’s rich cultural heritage and traditions.
The celebrations featured a vibrant array of cultural performances, including Chenda Melam and other traditional art forms, showcasing Kerala’s artistic richness. A Kerala Food Festival offered authentic delicacies from different districts of the state. An exhibition featuring stalls selling Indian handicrafts, traditional garments, jewellery and various other products added to the festive atmosphere.
The programme began with a welcome address by ICC general-secretary Abraham K Joseph, followed by opening remarks from ICC head of Cultural Activities Nandini Abbagouni. The chief guest, Dr K Srikar Reddy, ambassador of India to Qatar, addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of preserving India’s rich cultural heritage and strengthening cultural bonds among the expatriate community.
Renowned Indian playback singer and Chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, G Venugopal, graced the occasion as the guest of honour. In his address, he shared his thoughts on Kerala’s rich cultural and artistic traditions.
ICC president A P Manikantan thanked the 52 Malayali associations affiliated with ICC for their wholehearted support and active participation, whose collective efforts contributed significantly to the success of the celebrations. ICC secretary Pradeep Pillai gave a brief introduction to the cultural programme.
On the occasion, ICC honoured Malayalam teachers from Indian schools across Qatar for their valuable contributions to promoting the Malayalam language and preserving Kerala’s linguistic and cultural heritage among the younger generation.
The evening concluded with a vote of thanks by ICC vice-president Shantanu Deshpande. Several distinguished dignitaries graced the event: Prathima Reddy, spouse of the ambassador of India; Shanavas Bava, president, ICBF; and P N Babu Rajan, president, ICC Advisory Council, along with members of the ICC Managing Committee, presidents of associated organisations, and other senior community leaders.