COMA

---

Spring has sprung!!

The gentle chirping of birds have started to enchant our mornings…warmth has filled the air, and everyone is looking forward to a brand new beautiful summer….

This season of change reminds us of the timeless words of N. N. Kakkad…

കാലമിനിയുമുരുളും..
വിഷുവരും വർഷം വരും..
തിരുവോണം വരും..
പിന്നെയൊരോ തളിരിനും
പൂ വരും കായ്‌വരും
അപ്പോഴാരെന്നും
എന്തെന്നും ആർക്കറിയാം..

നമുക്കിപ്പോഴീയാർദ്രയെ
ശാന്തരായ് സൗമ്യരായ്
എതിരേൽക്കാം
വരിക സഖി
അരികത്തു ചേർന്നു നിൽക്കൂ
പഴയൊരു മന്ത്രം സ്മരിക്കാം
അന്യോന്യം ഊന്നു
വടികളായ് നിൽക്കാം
ഹാ! സഫലമീ യാത്ര…

No one truly knows what tomorrow holds, but we are here together, in this moment…
So let us connect…with warmth, with care, with open hearts.
Let there be love, let there be support, let there be unity in all that we share.
like a melodious song that carries us forward, steady and strong….
Let us continue this journey, side by side…

Hridayapoorvam

COMA had a wonderful start to 2026 with the event “Hridayapoorvam,” which turned out to be a tremendous success.

True to its name, the event was deeply heartfelt and brought together people of all generations, creating a warm, family-oriented atmosphere while reconnecting everyone to the spirit of Kerala. One of the highlights of the evening was the dubsmash performance, “Gaffoor Ka Dost,” inspired by actor Sreenivasan, which was widely appreciated and enjoyed by all. Adding to the vibrant spirit of the evening, bingo, music, and the DJ floor made the event even more lively and memorable for everyone in attendance.

The legendary Sreenivasan continues to hold a special place in our hearts and will be celebrated for many years to come.

Giving back to the community

One of COMA’s core missions is “giving back to the community.” On March 30th, our COMA Youth team had a wonderful trip to the Ronald McDonald House, where they toured the facility and supported families by assisting with daily cleaning tasks.

The teens had a great time helping restock guest rooms while also learning about the history and purpose of the House, as well as the many organizations that make its work possible. This volunteering initiative was a meaningful experience that truly reflects COMA’s commitment to serving the community.

Upcoming COMA events

• Kalikkalam – April 18th. Get ready for a day of games, fun, and friendly competition—Cards, Carrom, Chess, Rummy, and Rubik’s Cube for all ages! Teams or solo, we’ve got you covered. Come enjoy strategy, laughter, and community bonding with fellow COMA members. Make sure to mark your calendars and join us at Concord Township Hall, Delaware, OH for this exciting event!

• 5K Run – May 9th. Get ready to lace up your sneakers and join us for a fun and energizing 5K run! Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just looking for a healthy way to spend the morning, this event is perfect for all ages and skill levels. Enjoy the fresh air and the chance to connect with friends and the community. Bring your energy, your team, or just yourself, and let’s make this run memorable together.

Stay tuned for more action, celebrations, and community highlights. Spring promises more sunshine and stories!

— Prahlad T. Indira

---

Running Beyond Doubt: My First Marathon Journey

— Sandeep Nair

Four of us from our community recently completed our very first full marathon, a dream that once felt far beyond reach. This story is dedicated to the perseverance, grit, and belief that carried us to the finish line.

The Beginning

My last half marathon was back in 2019. I ended that race with a painful left knee injury and quietly decided that long-distance running was behind me. Yet, as life often does, it found ways to reignite that dormant spark.

Three moments pushed me toward finally running a full marathon:

1. Running a marathon had always been on my bucket list, an unfinished promise to myself.
2. During a COMA session on running, “Get Set Ready Run” organized by Pradip on January 23 last year, I had the opportunity to be the moderator. In a rare moment of enthusiasm, I openly declared that I wanted to run a full marathon. I added, almost defensively, that my knee pain was holding me back. Speaking that desire aloud made it real and placed the onus on me to follow through.
3. The final push came when my son signed up for his first marathon. If he could take the plunge, I had no excuse not to.

Training Days

That’s when the real journey began. Initially, three of us registered quietly, afraid to announce it. The fear of failure loomed large, what if we couldn’t finish? But once we started the training runs, that fear slowly began to fade.

A huge shout out to Austin, our guide, motivator, and the heart of our running group. His calm encouragement and deep experience made all the difference.

In the first two weeks, I ran too fast and my knee pain flared up again. Austin’s advice was simple but transformative: “Run slow to run long.” I listened. From then on, I paced myself, ran alongside Austin, and found joy in the long runs, delightful conversations, and mutual motivation carried us forward. 

As our distances ran grew, so did our confidence. We completed three runs over twenty miles, including one with the MIT running group alongside a 12-minute pacer. Those long runs gave me hope, maybe I really could finish a marathon, and perhaps even within five hours and fifteen minutes. My mind was setting up goals every time I ran after.

Setting the Goals

For race day, I set three layered goals:

• Base Goal: Just finish within the 6.5-hour race limit.
• Ideal Goal: Complete it in 5 hours 15 minutes.
• Stretch Goal: Finish under 5 hours.

My strategy was to start strong, run the first half faster in the cool morning and slow down as temperatures rose.

Race Day Surprises

But race day had other plans. After three months of perfect training weather, the marathon arrived with cold rain and falling temperatures, the exact opposite of what we’d prepared for.

The cheering crowd and electric atmosphere were incredible. I stuck to my plan through the first half, but around miles 19 to 20, I hit the infamous “wall.” My body protested, and my mind began asking the dreaded question: “Why am I doing this?”

As I dragged along, a mile later, I saw the 4-hour 45-minute pacer group in front of me and I decided to join them. Their steady rhythm pulled me through the final stretch. I crossed the finish line drenched, exhausted, but elated, clocking in at 4 hours and 41 minutes, surpassing my stretch goal.

The Real Reward

All four of us (Arun, Austin, Ivin and me) from our running group crossed that finish line. As I stood there, medal around my neck, I realized that the real reward wasn’t just completing the race, it was in the months of preparation, the discipline, and the camaraderie.

If I could do this, with a lingering knee injury and self-doubt, anyone can. I figured out the key lied in consistent practice, the right guidance, and belief in oneself.

We are truly fortunate to have Austin leading our running community. His selfless commitment has introduced hundreds of our members to running. I’ve seen him show up with the same enthusiasm every week, whether two people attend or ten.

A Message to Aspiring Runners

If there’s one takeaway from my journey, it’s this: drop the self-doubt. Your body is far more resilient than your mind gives it credit for. Once you commit, it will adapt, endure, and carry you across that finish line.

Running a full or half marathon isn’t just about physical endurance, it’s a celebration of belief, perseverance, and the sheer joy of achieving what once seemed impossible.

So, take that leap of faith. Lace up. Trust the process. Go ahead and commit. You might just surprise yourself. 

— Sandeep Nair

---

Best wishes to the college kids!

— Deepa Menon

Their messy rooms are now out of sight. 

They march to college, bold and bright, 

We smile and wave—but deep inside, 

It feels like half our hearts stayed behind.

The laundry basket looks bare, 

No stray socks or shoes hiding anywhere. 

The fridge stays full; the floors don’t creak— 

We’d trade this for your noise

We’ll text you: “Did you eat?”

You’ll roll your eyes, but it’s our beat. 

You’re ready now—in every way— 

Go find your road, we’ll light the way.

Go wander wide; go laugh; go roam, 

Till campus corridors feel like home. 

Join new clubs, gym, long walks— 

We’re here for you, just one call.

When Onam comes with sadya spread, 

You’ll miss pappadam, payasam—more than bread. 

No pookalam fits a dorm that small, 

But banana chips? We’ll send them all.

— Deepa Menon

---

ഓർമ്മകളിൽ മുളച്ച ചിരിവിത്തുകൾ

— Anjana S Nair

നമ്മൾ അന്ന് നട്ട ചെടിയിൽ വിരിഞ്ഞ പൂവ്..

അമ്മ വൈകുന്നേരം കൊണ്ടുവരുന്ന പലഹാരപൊതി..

വല്ലപ്പോഴും പുറത്തുന്ന് അച്ഛൻ കൊണ്ടുവന്നിരുന്ന ചിക്കൻ ഫ്രൈ..

Bus ന്റെ side seat ഇൽ മനോഹരമായ കാഴ്ചകൾ കണ്ടു പോകുമ്പോൾ ഡ്രൈവർ ചേട്ടൻ വയ്ക്കുന്ന ഇഷ്ടപ്പെട്ട പാട്ട്..

Bus യാത്രയിൽ വഴിയോരത്തെ വീട്ടീന്ന് വരുന്ന കടുക് വറക്കണ സുഗന്ധം..

ഇഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടയാളുടെ ഒരു നോട്ടം, ചിരി..

അമ്പലപ്പറമ്പിലെ കോലൈസ്, കുപ്പിവള കിലുക്കം, കാറ്റാടി, മത്തങ്ങ ബലൂൺ..

പലചരക്കു സഞ്ചിയിലാക്കീട്ട് ചന്ദ്രൻ ചേട്ടൻ സ്നേഹത്തോടെ നീട്ടിയ പ്യാരീസ് മിട്ടായി..

മിനിചേച്ചി ഓടിവന്നു വാരിയെടുത്തു കയ്യിൽ വച്ചുതന്നിരുന്ന മൾബെറി (ഞാൻ പുഴു ന്ന് വിളിച്ചിരുന്ന പഴം)..

കൊയ്ത്തുപണിക്ക് വന്ന ചേച്ചിമാർ നടാൻ തന്ന ഞാറ്, മെതിക്കാൻ തന്ന കറ്റ..

കാറ്റും മഴയും പൊഴിച്ചു തന്ന മൂവാണ്ടനും, ചോരകുടപ്പനും, നാട്ടുമാങ്ങയും..

ശുഭയും ഞാനും കുട്ടനും കൂടി കശുമാവിൽ കേറി പറിച്ചു തിന്ന കശുമാമ്പഴം, പിന്നെ ഓലതീയിട്ടു ചുട്ടുതിന്ന കശുവണ്ടി..

മാമന്റെ കൂടെ പോയി കൃഷ്ണ ഹോട്ടലീന്നു കഴിച്ച ദോശ, പാലുംവെള്ളം..

അച്ഛാമ്മ കല്ലിൽ അരച്ചു തന്നിരുന്ന കണ്ണിമാങ്ങാ ചമ്മന്തി..

മുത്തശ്ശ്യമ്മ കനലിൽ ചുട്ടു തന്നിരുന്ന കപ്പ..

അച്ചാച്ചന്റെ മേശവിരിപ്പിനടീന്ന് കിട്ടണ 25 പൈസ.. അതിന് വാങ്ങിക്കണ തേൻമിട്ടായീടെ സ്വാദ്..

പുതുമഴ പെയ്യുമ്പോളുള്ള മണ്ണിന്റെ മണം..

വാഴപ്പൂ തേനിന്റെ മധുരം..

ഓണത്തിനും, ഉത്സവത്തിനും മാത്രം കിട്ടിയിരുന്ന പുത്തനുടുപ്പ്..

ഇതൊക്കെ തന്ന കൊച്ചു കൊച്ചു വല്ല്യ സന്തോഷങ്ങൾ..

പ്രായം കൂടും.. വർഷങ്ങൾ പോകും..
നമ്മൾ സന്തോഷത്തിന്റെ വിത്തുകൾ പാകാൻ മറക്കും.. ചിരികൾ മറയും..
പക്ഷെ ഒന്നു മനസുതുറന്നാൽ ഓർമ്മകൾ ചിരിവിത്തുകൾ മുളപ്പിക്കും.. കണ്ണിൽ നിറവൊഴുകും.. പ്രതീക്ഷ തെളിയും.

— Anjana S Nair

---

Finding Home in Ohio: A Journey of Change, Growth, and Gratitude

— Rajna Nannat

I still remember the day I first drove down Earlington Parkway toward Asherton Apartments. The tall trees lining the road felt like they were welcoming me into a new chapter. As I looked around, I silently wished, “I hope I can stay here longer this time.” With kids, moving every two years had been exhausting — a cycle of packing, adjusting, and saying goodbye.

When we arrived at our new apartment, my son looked at me with sincerity and said, “No more moving, Mom.” He was tired of losing friends and starting over. That moment stayed with me.

Just as we began settling in, COVID hit. Like everyone else, we were confined within four walls. But in that stillness, something unexpected happened — I rediscovered hidden interests. I experimented in the kitchen, started a small garden, and felt pure joy watching my first tomatoes and chilies bloom. A friend once told me you need a green thumb to grow plants. Maybe I finally found mine.

From my porch, I watched ducks squawk around the nearby pond. Slowly, I fell in love with Dublin, Ohio.

As time passed, the feeling grew stronger: This is where I want to build something of my own. With life happening indoors and remote work becoming the norm, it made sense to find a place I could truly call home. I found a house I loved — far beyond my budget, almost impossible to manage. But then something miraculous happened.

The very afternoon my offer was accepted, I received a job offer — the exact financial boost I needed. It felt risky, but I trusted something bigger than logic. I believe that if something is meant for us, it will find a way.

It’s been over five years now, and life in Ohio has been a blessing — for my family, my work, and my soul. I truly believe everything that happened was divine guidance, gently nudging me toward what was meant for me. As I’ve learned: If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Ohio gave me more than a home and a job — it gave me belonging. Through COMA, introduced by my friend Rosmi, I found friendships, activities, and a vibrant social life. I rediscovered my passion for dance, which brings me joy and balance. I even returned to painting when time allows. And I’m grateful to live in a place where we can enjoy all four seasons — Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn.

Today, I am:

• Doing work I genuinely love
• Living in a home I once thought was out of reach
• Growing emotionally, spiritually, and professionally

Ohio has been a transformative space — one of healing, connection, and growth.

If there’s one concept that has anchored me through it all, it’s Cognitive Reframing — the practice of shifting how we interpret life’s events. Whether something feels “good” or “bad,” it’s our perception that shapes the experience. Learning to reframe my thoughts has turned obstacles into opportunities, endings into beginnings, and doubts into faith.

Looking back — from that tree‑lined drive to the joy of gardening, from fear during COVID to divine blessings and stability — one thing is clear:

Life doesn’t always follow our plan, but it always follows a purpose. And when we trust, surrender, and shift our perspective, the road unfolds beautifully ahead.

Here’s to the unfinished future.

— Rajna Nannat

---

The Enigma Girls (by Candace Fleming) – A book review

— Sreya Madhu

(Sreya is an 8th grader at Olentangy Berkshire Middle School, Galena and lives with her mom (Remya), dad (Madhu), and younger sister (Sradha) in Galena, Ohio. She loves to write and one of her writings was selected and published in a young writers anthology ‘spooky sagas’ while she was in 6th grade)

Imagine this; you’ve just been called into an interrogation room at a strange mansion. The person that is interviewing you notes the fact that you understand German, and ushers you into another room. What happens after that? This scenario became reality for thousands of teenage girls. The novel, “The Enigma Girls”, focuses on ten teens in England who wanted to serve their country during WWII. They did this by becoming secret cryptographers and decrypters for Britain, decoding messages from the Germans and passing them along to higher officials. Despite all this, their tremendous efforts were never recognized until about 30 years after the war was over. The theme of identity is developed over the course of “The Enigma Girls” when Commander Travis forces the girls to keep their work secret, when the girls act like teens, and by how they have fun at Bletchley.

To start, Commander Travis forces the girls to keep their work secret. Further, when the girls first arrived at Bletchley Park, they were made to sign the Official Secrets Act by Commander Travis. This was meant to keep their actions secret from the rest of the world. From the perspective of Jane Hughes, Commander Travis said, “‘This is the Official Secrets Act. It clearly states that if you disclose the slightest information about this place or your work… you will be committing TREASON.’”(Fleming, 44) This evidence demonstrates that Commander Travis was intimidating the girls that arrived at Bletchley Park and stressing with utmost importance that their work shall not be revealed. Shortly after this, Jane signs the Official Secrets Act. What exactly was that? This is a question that many of the Enigma Girls did not know the answer to. To state clearly, Jane “…had no clue what she’d just signed…She could never, ever talk about her work at the Park. Not even after she left…”(Fleming, 44-45). This evidence obviously shows that just like Jane, most of the Wrens and civilian girls at Bletchley had no idea what they were doing when they signed the Official Secrets Act. This was also imposed, or forced, upon them by Commander Travis as he likely did this with every single recruit.

Additionally, the theme of identity is developed when the girls act their ages. In more detail, the girls were still teenagers although they cracked codes and ciphers at an adult’s level. Sometimes they still liked to act like normal teenagers, although their situations were far from normal. Told through the words of Mavis Batey, “‘We thought it would be jolly funny if we got him to lean against the wet white wash in his lovely dark uniform…’ When he left, they could barely stifle their giggles…”(Fleming, 114). Through this example, Fleming demonstrates how the girls keep their youthful spirits amidst all the conflict, reminding themselves that they were still children that were made to grow up fast. The same teenage spirit is shown when Sarah decides that office life is too boring! She finds an empty cart, used primarily to wheel files and other items away. She wheels Jean, and the girl ends up in the men’s bathroom! To explain, Sarah questioned, “Why not give her friend Jean a ride in the wheeled laundry basket…” After being caught by the Commander, “Jean plastered a look of fake repentance onto her face. Sarah blinked back fake tears.”(Fleming, 152-153). The evidence provided shows that although the girls led lives of utmost secrecy, there were still times that they let themselves be the children that they were, resulting in these funny situations!

As a final point, the theme of identity is developed in the way the girls have fun at Bletchley Park. Furthermore, during the war, the girls were essentially trapped at Bletchley and the other places that they worked. Despite the fact that they liked seeing that their efforts make an impact on the war, they still wanted to have fun, so they started tap-dancing! Told by Patricia Owtram, “…a villager arrived at the station with a box full of tap shoes…How wonderful it felt to act a little silly. How nice to feel like a carefree teenager again.” (Fleming, 169). This scene shows how despite the war’s turmoil, these girls used tap-dancing to feel like teenagers again. A further way that the girls had fun at Bletchley was by going out and participating in various activities. Some of these activities included dates, biking, dinners, and also music. To restate, one Park worker questioned, “What was a girl to do for fun once her shift ended?” Jane’s answer was that she, “gathered with other singers…they performed by the lake and during the winter…Music became a bright spot in her hectic life.”(Fleming, 200). This evidence clearly proves that the girls found creative outlets to put their energy in during their free time. For example, music was Jane’s. They used these pastimes as ways to feel normal again and interact with the outside world while carrying a huge secret on their shoulders.

To conclude, the theme of identity is developed in multiple ways throughout the novel; such as through the actions of Commander Travis, in the scenarios where the girls act like teens, and by their pastimes in Bletchley Park. Ultimately, though the identities of these girls remained secret for years, they proved that even in the darkest of times, they could keep their true selves while making a crucial impact on history.

— Sreya Madhu

---

---

Newsletters

⚽ June Ignited With a Soccer Storm! ⚽ What a month of energy, excitement, and epic goals!

June brought the heat…both on and off the field, as our community came together for the highly anticipated COMA Soccer Tournament! With teams, fans, volunteers, and future soccer stars all rallying together, this month was nothing short of spectacular.

The COMA Soccer Tournament held on June 7th at Worthington Christian School was the highlight of the month, with 9 fierce teams battling it out for the inaugural COMA Cup. From the very first kick-off to the final whistle, the spirit of competition and community pride lit up the field. A big round of applause to Tuskers, who emerged victorious in a thrilling final against Boka Red.

The day wasn’t just about the grown-ups though. The Junior Stars Exhibition Match stole the show as our young soccer enthusiasts (ages 8–12) took to the field and showed off their skills, determination, and infectious enthusiasm. It was a joy to see the next generation embrace the game with such passion!

⚽ Tuskers On The Road ⚽

Following their local success, the Tuskers took their game to New Rochelle, NY on June 21st, where they once again rose to glory by winning the New York Challengers Soccer Tournament! A special shout-out to Subhash Nair, who was awarded the Golden Boot with an incredible 8 goals!

Stay tuned for more action, celebrations, and community highlights. July promises more sunshine and stories! ☀️

If you haven’t yet taken your COMA membership, now is the perfect time to join and be part of this vibrant, active, and growing community.

Membership 2025-26

— Prahlad T. Indira

---

My Journey as a Martial Artist

– Gauri Anil

(Gauri Anil is a rising Junior at Dublin Jerome High School, and lives with her mom (Resmi Krishnan), dad (Anil Sreevilasam), and younger brother (Vishnu Anil) in Dublin, Ohio. She loves to dance Bharatanatyam, sing Hindustani music, and practice karate, always finding ways to keep herself active and busy. Gauri recently received her Black Belt in karate in June 2025. In her free time, Gauri loves to read and spend time with her family)

“Karate is not just a martial art; it is a way of life.” This quote was once said by a man named Gichin Funakoshi, widely regarded as “the Father of Modern Karate”. My name is Gauri Anil, and I learn a style of karate called Okinawan Shuri-Ryu Karate-Do, from my teacher, Sensei Amanda Kaufman, at Advancing Karate Ltd. For the past 10 years, karate has given me so much more than I could have ever imagined, essentially making me who I am today. A few weeks ago, I was blessed with the opportunity to test for my Black Belt – the culminating point and new beginning of my karate training. From the moment I began karate at the tender age of six, to standing proudly in front of the esteemed grandmasters of Shuri Ryu as a 16-year-old, my journey has been filled with invaluable experiences, lessons, and knowledge that I will carry with me forever.

History/Background

Okinawan Shuri-Ryu is a traditional style of karate originating from Okinawa, dating back hundreds of years. Shuri Ryu’s origins can be traced back to when Bodhidharma (from the lineage of the Buddha himself) began teaching monks a way of self-defense, and that art was passed down and modified through the generations. Hundreds of years later, in the 1940s, a man named Robert Trias – a 19-year-old World War II Naval officer/American boxer – was challenged to a boxing match against an Okinawan karate master named Tung Gee Hsing, who taught Trias his version of karate in exchange for lessons in “American Box”. Trias brought this style back home and started the first karate dojo in America in 1946. With his own modifications, Trias created the style of Okinawan Shuri Ryu that thrives to this day.   

Mental and Spiritual Values

For most people (including myself), the initial thoughts that come to mind when thinking of karate are of Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, and other famous martial artists performing cool moves that leave any attackers running for their lives. However, as the years have passed, I have learned what a beautiful, deep style of karate Okinawan Shuri Ryu is. Instead of solely focusing on self-defense skills, Shuri Ryu also teaches its students fundamental life skills, core values, and how to be better people in life. Three of Shuri Ryu’s key moral values are to have loyalty, integrity, and honesty. Respect and patience are other essential qualities that are taught as well.

Additionally, Shuri Ryu emphasizes the connection that humans share with nature and the universe. For example, Shuri Ryu draws inspiration from the movement of animals to create effective karate self-defense techniques. Furthermore, in a way very similar to our rich, beautiful Indian culture, Shuri Ryu teaches how to use the body as a pathway for the energy of the universe to flow through, being able to keep us balanced and connected by embracing both the yin (darkness) and yang (light) in life. Karate is taught as a moving meditation, only taking and using the energy that is needed. This spiritual meaning is something I find truly beautiful throughout my journey in karate.

Competitions

Learning key physical, mental, and spiritual values are not the only skills karate has taught me. Karate has also given me invaluable competition experience. In 2019, I had the incredible opportunity to compete as part of the United States Martial Arts Team at the World Martial Arts Games held in London, England. This was one of the most amazing experiences ever; I competed and won bronze, silver, and gold in various divisions, including empty hand, weapons, musical form, and more! Then, in 2023, I was once again able to compete at the World Martial Arts Games, held that year at Daytona Beach, Florida, USA. Being able to represent the United States at both of these competitions was such an exciting and humbling experience. In addition to these competitions, I have also been able to compete in various other national and international competitions. In all of these experiences, one of the key things I took away was the true bond of friendship that exists within karate. That feeling of shared passion and love, as well as the teamwork, pride, and determination during competition, is an experience that will stay with me forever.

Black Belt Exam

Because Shuri Ryu follows such a traditional pathway, it takes nearly 10+ years to reach Black Belt. However, every minute of the journey is filled with valuable advice, lessons, morals, and teachings. Once karate students reach a certain belt level, the examinations become much more rigorous and detailed, consisting of a written exam, a physical fitness test, and an essay writing component. Black Belt exams are conducted by esteemed, high-ranking board members of the International Shuri-Ryu Association (ISA), chaired by Grandmaster O’Sensei Robert H. Bowles. Only once the board approves can a student receive their Black Belt. I underwent this Black Belt exam a few weeks ago, and that incredible experience is something I will never forget. The exam was a rigorous and nerve-wracking 3 hours of intense physical examination directed by nine board members of the ISA. However, being able to train and test under such successful, achieved, world-famous karate masters was a blessed opportunity. I was introduced to new skills, styles, and sparring that I had previously never even dreamed I could do. With great honor and joy, I was able to receive my Black Belt at the end of the seminar. 

Closing 

And this is truly the core behind my journey in karate. I have my family, friends, and teachers to guide me, and I will continue this beautiful martial art for as long as I can. Because for me, Grandmaster Gichin Funakoshi’s words stand true to this day…

“Karate is not just a martial art, it is a way of life.”

— Gauri Anil

---

From Shadows to Glory: Tuskers Roar to COMA Championship in Style

– Sachinlal Sugathan

(Sachin has been an active member of COMA from 2011, and lives with his wife Preeti and daughter Sahasra in Galena, Ohio.)

The world was watching. The stage was set at the legendary Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The year was 2014. The World Cup Final: Argentina vs. Germany.

It was the perfect setting for Lionel Messi, the greatest of his generation, to complete his legacy. Football royalty—Pelé, Maradona, and the Brazilian phenomenon Ronaldo—were all in attendance. Even Brazil, Argentina’s long-time rival, had begun to rally behind Messi. This was meant to be his coronation.

For a while, it looked like it would be.

Argentina had their chances. Gonzalo Higuaín missed a golden opportunity in the first half, and later found the net—only to be ruled offside. Still, they held their ground. The match drifted toward penalties. The Argentine defense was solid. The dream was alive.

But then, in the 113th minute, football tore up the script.

André Schürrle surged down the left wing, delivering a precise cross into the box. Mario Götze, cool and composed, brought the ball down on his chest and fired a left-footed volley into the net. Argentina froze. Messi stood still, shoulders slumped, eyes fixed on the night. Higuaín buried his face. Di María cursed his luck from the bench.

That goal didn’t just win Germany the World Cup. It altered the momentum, energy, and emotion of the entire match. Because in football, some goals don’t just change the scoreline—they change everything.

The intensity of that night in Rio was echoed last month in Columbus, Ohio—thousands of miles away from the Maracanã, but no less emotional. This time, it wasn’t a World Cup Final. It was the COMA Soccer Tournament, hosted by the Central Ohio Malayalee Association. And it wasn’t Germany or Argentina on the field—it was the Columbus Tuskers.

A team that had seen its fair share of heartbreak.

For years, the Tuskers traveled far and wide—from Miami and Austin to New York and Charlotte—chasing success in Malayalee soccer tournaments across the country. Again and again, they fell short in key moments. But this time, everything was different. This time, they were home.

The crowd was packed with familiar faces: family members, friends, and a community that had waited for this team to break through. The final saw the Tuskers face off against a formidable team from Nepal—the Boka Reds—known for their speed, skill, and relentless style of play.

The first half was tense and goalless. Both teams had their moments, but the scoreboard stayed untouched. Then came the breakthrough.

Early in the second half, Bimal pounced on a misplaced pass just outside the box. With a quick turn and a clean strike, he fired it into the top right corner—leaving the goalkeeper no chance. It was a clinical, composed finish, and the crowd erupted. At last, the Tuskers had the lead. They had momentum, belief, and control—just as Argentina once did.

But then came the Götze moment.

In a flash of brilliance and audacity, the Boka Reds’ goalkeeper, Ronnie Bergos charged forward, dribbling past half of the Tuskers’ team. Incredibly, he slotted home the equalizer himself. The goal stunned the stadium—devastating, unexpected, and unforgettable.

It was the kind of moment that sends cortisol surging—the stress hormone that clouds focus and erodes confidence. Many teams would have collapsed under that kind of shock.

But not the Tuskers. Not in front of their roaring fans.—fans who had followed them from city to city, heartbreak to heartbreak. 

This time, they stayed strong. They weren’t just playing a football match—they were playing for each other. Lifted by the emotional charge of a crowd full of loved ones, they found a second wind. They regrouped and responded.

The comeback began with Subash—the standout performer of the night. Tearing down the left wing, he cut inside and danced past defenders before threading a precise ball to Kripa, who flicked it into the net. 2–1. The Tuskers were back in command.

Then it was Subash again, slicing through midfield and laying it off to Sameer, who drove down the left and curled a cross into the box. Aneesh was waiting. Calm. Clinical. He slotted it home with a finish as cool as ice. 3–1.

The Tuskers weren’t done.

In the final moments, a threatening Boka Reds attack was broken up by Pradeesh on the left wing. Shielding the ball with his body, he dribbled past his marker and released a pass to Pravi, who charged through the center. Pravi delivered a perfect ball to Subash on the right edge of the box.

One touch. One rocket to the top corner.

4–1. Game over. Glory secured.

When the final whistle blew, it wasn’t just the end of a match. It was the closing of a long chapter. Years of missed chances and heartbreak had been erased by a night of brilliance.

As the crowd flooded the field, Captain Shibu stepped forward to lift the championship trophy—a moment of pride, power, and redemption. Nearby, goalkeeper Anil, who had held the fort with sharp reflexes and calm, sprinted the length of the pitch with Aslam, Rakesh, Basil and Jay in pure, unfiltered joy. Their faces said it all: this was more than a win.

For the Tuskers, this championship wasn’t just about lifting a trophy. It was about lifting a legacy. About proving, in front of their own families and community, that they could rise when it mattered most.

They say in football, momentum is everything. But the Tuskers showed us something deeper:

When your hearts beat as one…
When you’re lifted by love, pride, and belief…
No moment can break you.
It can only make your comeback stronger.

— Sachinlal Sugathan

---

Know your EC team Series – 2 – Treasurer (Rohit Suresh)

– Rohit Suresh

(Rohit lives in Delaware, Ohio with his wife Sujitha and has been associated with COMA since 2023. Both he and his wife have their roots in Palakkad but grew up in Coimbatore. He is passionate about music and play the guitar, piano and the bass)

My first few months in Columbus was spent in battling the unforgiving winter which was a huge shift having lived in multiple parts of South India until then. It was my wife who would persuade me into hitting the hiking trails to get me off the “..but it’s cold outside!” excuse. As I had started getting acclimatized with this new phase of life, I had an unexpected call from Pradip Ettan who was scouting for an instrumentalist for a group performance of Vipanchika for the upcoming Onam programme in September. The rehearsal sessions were on for 1 and a half months and each member took a round robin to host these sessions. What thrilled me the most is seeing that every home had their audio setup for having music as part of their lives.

At the event, I realized how big a community COMA was with the 500+ turn out for the Onam celebrations. To organize a huge event with a chenda melam and to have Gopinath Muthukad as the guest of honour made us feel whether we were really in the US experiencing the treats of a traditional feast. Well, music wasn’t the only aspect which got me hooked! The next year, I completed my first half-marathon thanks to the regular practice routines posted by Austin Pereira.

That is when I realized how COMA is different from other communities. There might be talented people in every community, but there are very few leaders who take the initiative to organise meetups with their unwavering commitment to the art/sport that they are most passionate about for the greater good. All the more the reason to not pass an opportunity to serve this close-knit community.

— Rohit Suresh

---

Newsletters

Wow! What a month April has been!

April was an action-packed, heartwarming month filled with moments that truly brought our community together. From music to marathons to meaningful contributions to Mother Earth, every week of April was a testament to the spirit, talent, and dedication within our vibrant community.

The month kicked off on a melodious note with “Paadaam Namukku Paadaam”, a musical evening that showcased the incredible range of talent among us. The event, held on April 5th, was the result of weeks of planning, rehearsals, and collective effort. Vocalists and instrumentalists of all ages came together to celebrate music, and the audience was treated to an unforgettable evening of rhythm, harmony, and cultural pride. The evening turned into a magical showcase of musical talent drawn entirely from our own community. The auditorium came alive with the sounds of classical hits, folk tunes, and nostalgic melodies, leaving the audience moved and mesmerized. The Dance party after the music was much enjoyed by all too. Behind the scenes, volunteers worked tirelessly on everything from sound checks to stage design, creating an atmosphere that was nothing short of professional and heartfelt.

Next came the adrenaline-fueled Capital City Marathon, where over 80 members from our community laced up their shoes and hit the pavement. This event was dedicated to the loving memory of our own Unni Maash. From early morning training sessions to crossing the finish line, the enthusiasm reflected on each one of us. For many, myself included, it was our first marathon experience, and it exceeded every expectation. The excitement at the starting line, the cheering crowds along the route, and the pride at the finish line made it an unforgettable experience. It wasn’t just about running—it was about showing up, cheering each other on, and crossing a finish line together. The sense of achievement and unity was something truly special.

April also brought us back to our roots with Earth Day, celebrated with full dedication by our young environmental champions. The youth took the lead in completing the garden project. With shovels in hand and dirt under their fingernails, they planted new life and reminded all of us of the importance of protecting the planet we call home. It was indeed a reminder of our responsibility to care for nature.

Their energy and commitment served as a powerful inspiration for us all, emphasizing the importance of conservation and sustainability. The garden authorities were very much impressed with the gardening projects completed by our kids.

— Prahlad T. Indira

---

My Cap City Quarter Marathon Journey with the COMA Tuskers!

– Nisha Ajit

(Nisha Ajit lives in Dublin, Ohio, with her husband, Ajit Nair. She is mom to Ashwin and Neil, and loves traveling, gardening, enjoying the outdoors, and pampering their pets, Nikki and Max.)

This was my second year running the Quarter Marathon at the OhioHealth Capital City Half & Quarter Marathon — and I have to say, it’s officially become my favorite spring tradition (right after putting away winter jackets!).

I’m incredibly grateful to be part of the COMA Tuskers Marathon Runners group, which Austin Pereira kickstarted back in December 2023. When I joined the group, I wasn’t even sure if I should attempt the 5K or take the big leap into the Quarter. But thanks to Austin sharing weekly training plans and lots of peer motivation, a few of us decided to be brave (or a little crazy?) and signed up for the Quarter Marathon.

I still vividly remember my very first Saturday group run at Glacier Ridge Park. After a quick warm-up, we started running — and I could barely jog for more than 10 minutes! I seriously questioned all my life choices at that moment. But I decided to take it slow: jog for 10 minutes, walk for 10 minutes — rinse and repeat. Week by week, minute by minute, my stamina improved.

Those Saturday group runs, building from 3 miles to 4 miles to even 6 miles, gave all of us the push (and sometimes the necessary peer pressure!) to keep going. There’s something magical about running with a group — even when your legs say “no,” your friends say, “come on, almost there!” It turns every mile into a mini celebration. Plus, you get to swap running hacks, shoe horror stories, and even exchange yummy food tips and recipes after our runs!

Of course, it wasn’t always smooth sailing. There were weeks when my knees or ankles weren’t too happy with me. But listening to your body, knowing when to rest, and bouncing back is part of the journey too. It’s not just about running; it’s about learning patience, discipline, and celebrating small wins.

Honestly, the hardest part wasn’t the running — it was getting out the door. (Pro tip: don’t sit on the couch too long before a run… it’s a trap!) But once you’re out there, each run builds a little more confidence and a lot more endorphins.

This year, the COMA Tuskers Marathon Runners group grew to a whopping 90+ COMA members signing up for the event! Around 80 of us laced up and proudly ran or walked the 5K, Quarter, or Half Marathon. It felt so amazing to be surrounded by so many familiar faces, high-fiving and cheering each other on. Our community spirit was truly unbeatable!

We also ran in loving memory of Unnikrishnan “Maash” Nair, honoring him with custom bibs. Seeing his family run alongside us, carrying banners and memories, was an emotional and beautiful moment that made this race even more special. I’m sure Maash was watching from above, smiling and proud.

Thinking about giving it a try next year? You absolutely should! Whether you’re a seasoned runner or someone who struggles to jog to the mailbox (been there, done that!), the COMA Tuskers Marathon Runners group is the perfect place to start. You’ll get all the support, training plans, group runs, and lots of laughter along the way.

Ready to hit the pavement with us next year? Join the COMA Tuskers WhatsApp group or reach out to our amazing Captain, Austin Pereira. Trust me — your future self (and your running shoes) will thank you! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🎉

— Nisha Ajit

---

Know your EC team – Series 1 – General Secretary (Parvathy Harilal)

– Parvathy Harilal

(Parvathy lives in Powell, Ohio with her husband Jordan and son Jonathan. She is from Trivandrum and moved from New York to Columbus in late 2023.)

Back in the spring of 2023, while on vacation with my husband, Jordan, and our three-year-old son, Jonathan, the prospect of moving to Columbus unexpectedly came up. Bona fide New Yorkers having lived in the city for over a decade, no one took us seriously when we discussed the possibility of moving to Columbus. I vividly recall telling my husband that day, “Who would willingly move to Ohio?” Famous last words. As it turned out, life had a hilarious plot twist in store for us, and suddenly, we were uprooting our lives and relocating to the Midwest that same year.

Moving wasn’t exactly a foreign concept to me. My early years were spent bouncing around between my birthplace of Trivandrum, Mumbai, and Chennai. I was always the new kid, never quite settling in. Then came the grand cross-continental move to the US—a decision I’m pretty sure my still-developing prefrontal cortex at the time thought was brilliant. “Finally, a place to lay down roots,” I thought to myself. A hodgepodge of languages and cultures, New York City seemed fitting – and instantly, I belonged. Year after year, I celebrated Thanksgiving and Diwali more often than Onam. The yearning for a taste of home was ever-present, though I didn’t know a single Malayali soul outside of my family for my entire adulthood.That is, until I moved to Columbus.

Can you imagine my surprise at finding a Malayali association in Columbus—people like me—in this small Midwestern city? Having never been part of such a cultural group before, I was beyond thrilled to celebrate Onam with COMA in 2024. I decided to dive in headfirst and volunteer, wanting to truly get a pulse on this community. Despite being a complete stranger at the event, I left that day with a heart full of joy and contentment. A little voice inside me said, “Hmm, maybe moving here wasn’t so bad after all.”

Fast forward, and well, you could say the rest is history! I got roped into the 2025 EC team as the General Secretary. It’s been such an honor and a truly exhilarating experience so far. In just a few months, I’ve gotten to know so many of you, made incredible friends, and been completely blown away by how warm and close-knit this community is. Honestly, it feels like, in a wonderfully unexpected way, I’ve finally come home.

— Parvathy Harilal

---

From Notes to Nostalgia: The Making of PNP 2025

– Lloyd George

(Lloyd works as Sr. Program Manager at Amazon and is from Muvattupuzha, Kerala. He moved to Columbus in 2014 and lives with his wife, Sheena, and four daughters – Gianna, Hazel, Lily and Violet.)

I would like to share my rewarding experience contributing to the Paadam Nammukku Paadam (PNP) event, held at the Kings Arts Complex on April 5th. It all began with an informal meeting with the Executive Committee (EC) members—Stephen ettan, Linda, Rohit – and Pradip ettan, where they outlined their vision for an event centered around live singing and instrumental performances. Their goal was to showcase the musical talent of our local Malayalee community, and this marked the beginning of a remarkable journey.

The initial phase involved six weeks of meticulous planning, followed by another six weeks dedicated to practice and fine-tuning. One of the primary challenges was securing a suitable venue, closely followed by arranging a high-quality sound system. The EC members worked tirelessly to overcome these obstacles, instilling in me a strong sense of confidence that we could pull off an outstanding show.

The next step was to finalize the list of singers and instrumentalists. Through a well-organized audition process, we discovered several exceptionally talented individuals. The singers were grouped together and encouraged to choose songs they felt most comfortable performing. Many of these participants were unfamiliar with each other at first, but over time developed close-knit friendships. Simultaneously, Rohit and Pradip ettan helped in assembling a highly skilled musical team. I was personally astounded by the talent and experience these instrumentalists brought to the table. Finally, each singing group collaborated with the musicians to craft a medley of songs in a well-thought-out sequence.

Our practice sessions were conducted in a warm and supportive environment; thanks to Pradip ettan, Rajesh, and Manjula chechi, who generously opened their homes for these rehearsals. The EC team ensured that all necessary resources were provided and that each group adhered to their scheduled slots. The entire team put in a lot of hard work and long hours of practice to ensure that they were completely prepared to rock the stage. In the end, I personally felt it was one of the finest musical performances that I have had the privilege to be a part of. The entire event featured a total of 44 songs, 34 singers, 9 Instrumentalists and 2 Instrumental performances – truly a grand musical journey. I would especially like to recognize the outstanding contributions of our young talents: Amogh (Saxophone), Rohan (Drums), and the exceptionally gifted young singers, who were trained and mentored by Ramya Ravikumar.

I am convinced that the success of this event was largely due to the openness of every participant to both give and receive constructive feedback. One of the most memorable moments was when the audience enthusiastically demanded an encore to the instrumental performance—an experience that I will surely cherish for years to come.

I sincerely hope PNP repeats in the coming years. Columbus is blessed with abundant talent, and COMA continues to provide a platform for it to flourish.

In closing, I leave you with this quote:

“Without music, life would be a mistake.”

— Lloyd George

---

My First year in marching band

– Amogh Athrassiri

(Amogh is a freshman at Olentangy Highschool, who lives with his parents Vidya and Prahlad at Lewis Center. Amogh loves music, plays the saxophone and piano. He also loves to travel and has a passion for cooking.)

It was July 21st, 2024. I had just gotten into my dad’s car and was heading to the first day of marching band practice. As we arrived, I felt nervous. I thought people wouldn’t like me because I was overweight. And when I say overweight, I mean I weighed 173 pounds, which was more than I felt comfortable with. I walked through the band doors and saw a few friends I already knew, which made me feel a bit better. But I also saw people I didn’t know, and that made me think, “This is going to be a long season.”

We started with introductions, and then moved on to marching band basics, or so I thought. The basics weren’t basic at all. I struggled with balance, and my marching was off. The first few months were filled with intense practices, and honestly, it felt like torture. We were out in the sun for hours. Thankfully, during breaks, I got to talk with my friends and some new ones, especially a few older students who took the time to teach me songs and help fix my marching. Looking back, if I hadn’t joined marching band, I wouldn’t have made the amazing friendships I have now. That was one of the best things about the experience. I’m still close with those older friends today.

There were moments during the season when I made mistakes or felt like I wasn’t meeting expectations, and it affected how I saw myself. Sometimes, interactions with others left me feeling hurt or unsure. Over time, I became more aware of how I communicate and how to take things in stride. I’m still working on being more confident and less self-critical, but marching band definitely helped me take steps in the right direction. By the last day of marching band, I had dropped to 158 pounds. I was surprised I had lost that much in just a few months.

Before joining the marching band, I couldn’t even stand for 10 seconds without needing to sit down. But because of the intense marching and playing while standing, I got used to standing for long periods. Playing the saxophone also became easier and faster thanks to my older friends who taught me fast songs. This helped me improve my reading music. It improved my coordination because I learned to play along with other people. And even if I can’t read the music, I can use my ear to play or harmonize with the group. Marching band also taught me how to properly take care of my saxophone and what not to do with it.

If you’re thinking of joining marching band, here are a few lessons I learned that might help you, especially if you can relate to my experience: You’ll probably lose weight from all the walking, standing, and movement. You’ll meet new people and make great friends. Don’t take everything too seriously. Don’t forget anything! Always pack everything you need, like your uniform, socks, and music.

And most importantly—have fun. You’ll make memories that stay with you for a long time.

— Amogh Athrassiri

---

---

Newsletters

In Loving Memory of Unnimash: A Tribute to a Remarkable Soul

This month, as we come together to share stories, we do so with heavy hearts. We are all deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our beloved Unnimash. A presence so full of life, energy, and generosity, Unnimash touched each of us in unique ways, always contributing with kindness, passion, and a commitment to the well-being of others. The loss has left an irreplaceable void in our lives, and it is with deep sorrow that we reflect on the immense impact Unnimash had on each of us.

Unnimash was a friend, a mentor, and a true embodiment of the values we all hold dear in this community. Their dedication, enthusiasm, and willingness to support others were qualities that set them apart. Whether it was through thoughtful advice, tireless organizing efforts, or simply offering a listening ear, Unnimash made each one of us feel seen, valued, and understood. With a heart full of generosity and dedication to enriching the lives of others, Unnimash’s contributions spanned many areas of our community, from organizing events to inspiring others with their creativity.

As a passionate lover of poetry and his involvement in the drama, Unnimash inspired creativity among all of us. Whether it was through a beautiful rendering of poem, or a stirring performance on stage, Unnimash taught us the power of expression and the importance of art in bringing people together. Unnimash leaves behind a rich legacy — one that will continue to inspire and shape the future of COMA.

Unnimash’s love and legacy continue through his wife Latha (Lathachechi), son Krish, daughter Meera, daughter-in-law Simran, and a wide circle of friends and loved ones who were deeply impacted by his life. A heartfelt celebration of his remarkable life was held on February 20th, 2025, bringing together many of his close friends and loved ones from various parts of the country, all gathered to honor and remember him.

“COMA Talks” organized an online event on March 1st to honor Unnimash. During the gathering, friends and loved ones shared their personal experiences with him, recounting meaningful and memorable moments. Attendees sang songs that Unnimash enjoyed, recited poems he cherished, and told funny stories and anecdotes, reflecting the warmth and joy he brought to their lives. It was a heartfelt occasion filled with love and deep appreciation for the impact he had on everyone.

As we continue to honor Unnimash’s memory, let us carry forward the values they championed — creativity, generosity and connection — in every step we take. Their legacy will live on in each of us, inspiring future generations.

— Prahlad T. Indira

---

ഉണ്ണിയേട്ടന്

– Sreejith Chandran

(One half of his brain has gone nomad and the other has gone in search of the first. Glorifying his random ramblings and packaging it is his main hobby! Otherwise sane and grounded.)

2023 ഓണാഘോഷം, ഉണ്ണിയേട്ടൻ ആ വർഷം കെട്ടിയെ വേഷം കവിത പാരായണം ആയിരുന്നു. അന്ന് ഉണ്ണിയേട്ടനോടൊപ്പം വേദി പങ്കിടാൻ ഭാഗ്യം ഉണ്ടായ ഞാൻ കവിതയ്ക്ക് ശേഷം ചോദിച്ചു “ചേട്ടാ, നിങ്ങൾ എന്നെ പോലെയാണല്ലോ, എല്ലാത്തിലും കൈ വെക്കും പക്ഷെ ഒന്നിലും ഗുണംപിടിക്കൂല ” ഒരു ചെറു പുഞ്ചിരിയോടെ ചേട്ടൻ പറഞ്ഞു “എന്തിനാ ശ്രീ നമ്മൾ ഒന്നിൽ തന്നെ തളക്കപ്പെടുന്നത്, എല്ലാം അറിയണ്ടേ, അനുഭവിക്കേണ്ടേ? “. ഉണ്ണിയേട്ടൻ അങ്ങനെ ആയിരുന്നു, ആടാത്ത വേഷമില്ല, കാണിക്കാത്ത കോപ്രായങ്ങൾ ഇല്ല ..

അങ്ങനെ ഉണ്ണിയേട്ടനും അരങ്ങൊഴിഞ്ഞു, ഞങ്ങളുടെ വേദികൾ അനാഥമാക്കി അങ്ങേരു പോയി. എപ്പോഴോ അമ്മൂമ്മ പറഞ്ഞതോർക്കുന്നു. അമ്പലപ്പുഴ പാല്പായസം ഉണ്ടാക്കുന്നതിനൊടുവിൽ, അവസാനം ഒരു പിടി രഹസ്യ ചേരുവകൾ ചേർക്കും, അതാണ് കൃഷ്ണനേറെയിഷ്ടം. അതായിരുന്നു ഉണ്ണിയേട്ടൻ, അത്രമേൽ മധുരമായിരുന്നു ഉണ്ണിയേട്ടൻ !

അവസാനമായിട്ടു ഒരു നോക്ക് കാണുവാൻ വന്നപ്പോൾ ഉണ്ണിയേട്ടാ എന്ന് ഞാൻ വിളിച്ചതും ആ പാദങ്ങൾ സ്പർശിച്ചതും നിങ്ങൾ അറിഞ്ഞിരുന്നോ എന്നെനിക്കറിയില്ല. രാമായണം കേട്ട് നിങ്ങൾ ഒരു നീണ്ട വനവാസത്തിലേക്കു പോയപ്പോൾ, രാജ്യവും, ഞങ്ങളും അനാഥമായി. കിരീടവും സിംഹാസനവും മാറ്റിവെച്ചു ഞങ്ങൾ നിങ്ങൾക്കായി കാത്തിരിക്കും. വീണ്ടുമൊരു പട്ടാഭിഷേകത്തിനായി.

ജനിമൃതികൾക്കകലെ ഒരു ചെറു പുഞ്ചിരിയുമായി നിങ്ങൾ നില്പുണ്ടെന്നെനിക്കറിയാം. ഓർമകളുടെ ഒരു പാലംതീർത്തു ഞാൻ നിങ്ങളിലേക്ക് എത്തികൊണ്ടേയിരിക്കും, നമുക്കിനിയും കവിതകൾ പാടണം, കോപ്രായങ്ങൾ കാട്ടണം, സാംസ്‌കാരിക ജീർണതകളെ കുറിച്ച് പായാരം പറയണം, മരണത്തെ നോക്കി കൊഞ്ഞനം കുത്തണം !!

പാദങ്ങളിൽ തൊട്ടു പ്രണാമം, ഉണ്ണിമാഷിന്‌, ഉണ്ണിയേട്ടന് !

— Sreejith Chandran

---

20 miles of change

– Rohan Hari

(Rohan Hari is a freshman attending liberty high school. He enjoys hobbies such as cooking, running, and weightlifting. He is working towards achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and is currently in the life scout position. Rohan is son of Anjana Nair and Hari Karunakaran)

“20 miles!” I said when I found out what we were doing for our campout. We had to hike up and downhill 20 miles on a backpacking trip. I thought to myself “Could I really do this?”  “What if I can’t?” Whether it was waiting for my next test, my next meet, or anything simple, I always thought to myself, “what if it’s time?” “What if it is time to put my skills to the test. What all these weeks, or months of preparation have finally gotten me to.” Even when I am sure to do well, fear awaits me, in the form of a dark cloud. Yet, the storm that follows is nothing but a mere sprinkle of water.

On the drive there, I thought of this storm which continuously stirred in the distance. It was as if the hike was waiting for me to go into the storm. I always had an overwhelming sense of fear leading to it. However, I learned, as I grew, that fear is like a section of a map. You can choose to explore it. But whatever comes out of it is based on your journey through it. The saying “What if” was steering me towards the path of fear. The feeling of “Am I ready yet?” was the wind that would only push me further into the direction.

I got to the campsite the night before going into what I perceived as the storm. It was like I couldn’t sleep. But when I did, I feared only the worst, but my mind told me that it was time to go. Or else there would be no reason to come in the first place. It came the morning of the day of the hike. “Everyone ready?” asked the mentor. Everyone was. But was I?

We start hiking towards the mountain. The sense of fear spreads through me but I also start to feel eased. It was only then I realized that worrying only leads to worse results. The path through it, and the path without it lead to the same ending, only one is longer, more gruesome, but has nothing to provide as a reward for going through it. Except for the gift of knowledge, understanding what is the right thing to do for the future. This is what I realized more and more. I go through the hike with high hopes, and less doubt. Every minute that passed, every mile conquered, I would steer away from the storm in the better path.

Night fell upon us as we reached the campsite. Taking the heavy load off my back and setting up for the night, I see the stars. I thought to myself “All of the stars seem close together, while they are actually billions of miles apart. There could be a fear of isolation, a fear of anything. Yet, they still shine bright for even us to see.”

The next morning, I realized, not only was I mentally ready, but with my pack lighter, and with good rest, I was sure to make it through the rest of my hike. “Everyone ready?” asked the mentor before heading off. Everyone was. And so was I. As we walked on in the hike, rather than fearing the worst, I was able to think about the good aspects of the hike. The scenery, the time spent away from work or screen, was all something to look forward to rather than something to fear. I took the challenge as not an obstacle, but rather as a message to learn from experience. In the end, I truly acknowledge that fear awaits me, in the form of a dark cloud. Yet, the storm that follows is nothing but a mere sprinkle of water.

— Rohan Hari

---

The Power of Dance: Unlocking its Benefits!

– Dr. Niju Baby Narakathu

(Niju is an Internal Medicine Physician who works as a hospitalist at Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, and Genesis Health system, Zanesville. He is from Perumbavoor, Kerala who completed residency in New York and moved to Columbus in 2017. He lives in Powell with his wife Katherine and two beautiful daughters – Joella and Qianna)

Dance has always been a strong emotion for me ever since the time of my first performance on stage at the age of five. I believe it has the power to express like no words ever can. In a 2008 article in Scientific American magazine, a Columbia University neuroscientist referred to dance as “pleasure double play” as in Music stimulates the brain’s reward centers, while dance activates its sensory and motor circuits.

Dancing, especially the complex dance forms like Indian classical dance forms, ballet and so on requires more than just the limbs and muscles. The Gospel truth is that Dancing is a product of a highly evolved control center – “Our Brain” which is like a pilot that gives commands to control the movements, emotions and behaviors to help us dance. It is a multifaceted activity that has been shown to promote neuroplasticity in several ways. Neuroplasticity means the brain’s ability to adapt and adopt any changes that come through our life. This is through cognitive processing, motor stimulation and coordination, sensory integration, emotional regulation and as we all know, an aerobic exercise with its own multitude of benefits. Research has shown dancing promotes structural changes in the brain, like increasing grey matter density, enhances cognitive skills like memory, attention and improves motor skills and balance. It releases chemicals such as Dopamine (a natural mood booster), Endorphins (a natural painkiller) and decreases cortisol (a stress hormone). {Corrigendum to: “Dance for neuroplasticity: A descriptive systematic review” [Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 2019 Jan; 96:232-240]}

In Neuroanatomical terms, Dancing requires the use of multiple parts of our brain and spinal cord. Using PET scan these areas have been identified as:

⦁ The basal Ganglia – helps in habit formation and body movements.
⦁ Cerebellum – for coordination.
⦁ Motor cortex – area in the brain that controls voluntary movements.
⦁ Somatosensory cortex – helps control movements, hand eye co-ordination.
⦁ Cortico-spinal tract – nerve fibers which connects our brain to the muscles.

As an example, I am going to use one of the most basic posture in Bharatanatyam – “The Aramandi Posture” or known as ‘half-sitting’. This posture requires the use of Vermis which is a tiny part of the cerebellum which helps keep my body straight in midline when my balance is challenged along with a new Central Pattern Generator (CPGs) that I had to develop specifically for this posture. Now CPGs are new patterns configured by our brain when we try to attempt new postures. To maintain the symmetry of movement I must engage Para-vermis, another small part of our cerebellum along with the Corticospinal tract.

It gets more complex when it comes to performing a whole dance. This involves using our hippocampus to form long term memories, storing muscle memories together called procedural memory (Albouy et al, 2008). This is achieved with significant amount of practice and hence all our Gurus consistently emphasize “practice”. This helps us recall the sequence while performing.

Currently there are many Wellness programs across different hospitals in the country that incorporate dance into their activities for their patients. Research has shown benefits in patients with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Multiple sclerosis, mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. One such example is the Wellness program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical center (BIDMC) in Boston, where they have incorporated Zumba along with other movement forms like tai chi, yoga, etc. According to Tarsy, a Harvard Medical School professor of Neurology and Director of the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center at BIDMC, dance can be considered a form of rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS). He says people with Parkinson’s “speak and walk better if they have a steady rhythmic cue”. Another study published in 2003 in the New England Journal of Medicine noted that dance can decidedly improve brain health, where they looked into eleven activities, with one being dance and showed reduced participants’ risk of dementia. Another study done at North Dakota’s Minot State University found that Zumba improved mood and cognitive skills such as visual recognition and decision making.

In conclusion, it is clear that dance offers a multitude of benefits for both our physical and mental well-being. It enhances cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, balance, and bone health, while also boosting mental health by reducing stress, improving mood, enhancing cognitive function, and fostering self-esteem and social connections. So, my friends, let the music move you—dance away and embrace the countless rewards it brings!

— Niju Baby Narakathu

---

---

Newsletters

Welcome to the First Edition of Our 2025 Newsletter!

We believe all of you had a wonderful time during the holiday season. Whether it was spending time with loved ones, embracing quiet moments of rest, or finding joy in festive traditions, we hope your holidays were filled with warmth and happiness.

Before we start this year’s journey, let’s take a moment to honor the legacies of two extraordinary individuals from Kerala who left us recently—M. T. Vasudevan Nair and P. Jayachandran.

M. T. Vasudevan Nair, touched the hearts of many with his profound storytelling and unmatched contribution to Malayalam literature and Cinema. His works, which often delved deep into human emotions and social circumstances, will continue to inspire generations to come.

The passing of the legendary playback singer P. Jayachandran has left a void in the world of music. Our beloved Bhaavagaayakan‘s soulful voice enchanted audiences for decades, will forever remain a part of the rich culture of Malayalam cinema. His songs, brimming with emotion, continue to resonate within each one of us, and will remain timeless.

As we begin 2025, we hold these two remarkable figures in our thoughts and honor their immense contributions to the arts and culture. May their legacies continue to inspire and guide us in the years to come.

Now, with the start of 2025, we embrace the spirit of new beginnings. It’s a time to set fresh goals, explore new opportunities, and continue growing in every aspect of our lives. With a brand new EC team of COMA, I’m excited to see the initiatives that the 2025 Executive Committee has planned for our community this year. My best wishes go out to the 2025 EC for a successful and impactful year ahead! The strength and success of our organization rely on the support of our volunteers, paired with the passion and dedication of the Executive Committee. Let’s all work together as a team and contribute our efforts to ensure this year is another exceptional one for COMA.

Thank you for being part of our community. We look forward to sharing this new year’s journey with you, filled with growth, positivity, and unforgettable memories.

— Prahlad T. Indira

---

Presidential Address

– Stephen John (2025 COMA President)

(Stephen lives in Powell, Ohio, with his wife Nicey and daughter Anjali. He is from Kottayam and is in Ohio from 2015 onwards. His hobbies are Portrait Photography and road trips. He works as a Data Analyst and is also a clergyman serving as the Chairman of the Anglican Church of India Synod.)

Dear COMA friends,

2025 started with a bang for me, and let me wish you all a happy and prosperous 2025!

I know some of you might be wondering why I chose to be the President despite knowing how tedious it is. It takes away most of our personal time and family time. Just like you, I also treasure my personal and family time. But I also believe in giving back to our wonderful community. I truly want to show everyone that leading COMA can be a collaborative and fun experience!

My vision for COMA in 2025 is all about getting everyone involved! The responsibility of COMA should not be solely with the trustees and the EC. We’re a community, and that means we all have a part to play!

I believe in shared responsibility for the benefit of the community, and I hope to build that new culture within COMA this year. And I would say that is the main driver for my decision.

To make this happen, I started the General Committee or GC this year. This is for people who are interested in working in specific areas instead of working in EC. It also reduces the workload of EC.

Currently, we have additional members working in the following areas:

1. Photography Club
2. COMA Talks Live
3. Food Committee
4. Volunteers committee
5. Event planners
6. Fundraising committee

I am confident that this new setup will attract more members to join EC or GC in the future. Also, I hope the future ECs will continue forming GCs to accommodate more members who are willing to help in specific areas.

Speaking of a good team, I am lucky to be working with amazing people in the EC this year – Dr. Rajesh Rajan (VP), Ms. Parvathy Harilal (General Secretary), Ms. Linda Chan (Joint Secretary), and Mr. Rohit Suresh (Treasurer)

And in GC, we have Ms. Amalu Jospeh (Lady Secretary), Miss Gaurinanda Sudheesh (Website), Mr. Prahlad T. Indira (Newsletter), Mr. Bimal Sebastian (Food Committee), Mr. Rahul RP (Photography Club), Mr. Rakesh Vijayakrishnan (Sports Secretary), Mr. Aslam Abubacker (Volunteers) and Mr. Sudheesh Vasudevan (Youth Wing).

I can say that our COMA community is in safe hands! And a big thanks to my friends who introduced these special people to my life.

Now, here’s where we need your help! Our community is growing, and that means we need bigger and better venues and programs. To make this happen, we need to think outside the box and be willing to embrace some changes. This might mean contributing a little extra financially and volunteering some of your time.

This would help us to better plan our events with support from external sponsors. And, if you think you can support us by helping us in specific areas, then please reach out to me or one of the EC members. We welcome any and all support!

Once again, I wish you all a happy 2025 and hope that we can continue to entertain you as previous committees have done.

Thank you!

— Stephen John

---

My experience in the Meals on Wheels program

– Sudheesh Vasudevan

(Sudheesh lives in Plain City, Ohio, with his wife Lekshmi and daughter Gaurinanda and son Gautham. He is from Kottarakkara and is in Columbus from 2016 onwards. He likes travel and road trips. He works as a Senior Software Developer)

On a snowy Sunday morning, I was excited to finally participate in a Meals on Wheels program that had long been on my wish list.

Even though it was a chilly Sunday morning, this program motivated me to learn how social actions can lead to mental satisfaction.

Route V1600 was scheduled for Arun, Priya, Kannan, and me. Everything was very well organized, and we started our route on time.

We were assigned to 15 homes, but as a newcomer, I was curious how to deliver this food to them. 

I had a lot of questions in my mind – How can we approach someone’s home? 

How do they treat us? Different food restrictions based on their health and age? And so on. 

Arun helped me resolve most of my questions. 

Walking towards an unfamiliar home in sub-zero temperatures on slippery roads really fills us with mixed feelings. 

However, all the challenges fade when we see happy faces with genuine smiles and warm greetings. Some had truly been waiting for us.

We had varying experiences in each home. In some, the residents clearly instructed us on where to place the food. However, we received no response in two homes when we knocked on their doors. Many individuals also struggled to open the food container lids, even when they were by themselves. Despite this, I could see the determination for self-sufficiency in their smiles and expressions.

After the food delivery, we felt so happy and joyful that we could brighten someone’s day! It was such a wonderful feeling to share a little kindness.

Their faces and smiles bring back cherished memories of our parents and grandparents, who were separated from us by thousands of miles.

The fabric of our society is not yet ready to rely on anyone; however, the Meals on Wheels program offers a chance to help those who truly need assistance.

Kannan was the youngest on our team. I was very pleased with our COMA youth representative, Kannan. He impressed me by engaging respectfully and chatting with senior members while assisting them.

Arun and Priya, you are really Proud parents  !!

Once I got home after the food delivery, I realized I had missed my breakfast, but because of this excitement, I never felt hungry throughout the journey. I really enjoyed that day!!

January is the month of Martin Luther King Jr., so let’s remember his famous quotes. 

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?”.

— Sudheesh Vasudevan

---

കൊഴിഞ്ഞിട്ടും എന്തിനോ…..

– Aravind. V. K.

(Aravind, originally from Trivandrum, has been residing in Ohio, since 2019 with his wife Mekha, their children Parvanendu and Yug Nand, and their two toy poodles, Benji and Bella. He is a data engineer by profession, who seamlessly combines his technical expertise with a passion for the arts. Aravind has directed and produced several creative projects, including the recently released South Indian musical album ‘Hasthinapuri.’ In addition to filmmaking, he is a skilled cameraman, editor, seasonal singer, and enjoys pencil drawing and writing. Aravind is also known for his talent as a magician and mentalist, with his thoughtful performances. Aravind’s work blends innovation, creativity and storytelling with dedication.)

ചിലത് കൊഴിഞ്ഞു പോയി എന്ന് അംഗീകരിക്കാൻ നമുക്ക് കഴിയാറില്ല. പ്രത്യേകിച്ചും ഹൃദയത്തിന്റെ ആഴങ്ങളിൽ കുരുക്കിട്ട് പടർന്നു കിടക്കുന്ന വള്ളികളിലെ ഓർമപ്പൂക്കൾ. അത് എല്ലാ പുതുമയോടും കൂടി എന്തിനോ നമ്മുടെ നെഞ്ചിൽ മൊട്ടിട്ടു കൊണ്ടിരിക്കും. അങ്ങനെ ഒരു അനുഭവമാണ് ഈ ലോകത്തു നിന്നും നമ്മെ വിട്ടു പോയ ഭാവഗായകൻ P. ജയചന്ദ്രൻ എന്ന ജയേട്ടൻ നമുക്ക് നൽകികൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്നത്. കൊഴിഞ്ഞു പോയി എന്ന് നമ്മെ കൊണ്ട് സമ്മതിപ്പിക്കാതെ മലയാളി മനസിന്റെ നിത്യവസന്തമായി എന്നും ഓരോ ദിവസവും, ഓരോ നിമിഷവും മൊട്ടിടും ജയേട്ടൻ.. ഒരു മലയാളി മനുഷ്യ മനസിന് ഉണ്ടായേക്കാവുന്ന ഒട്ടു മിക്ക വികാരങ്ങളിലും ഇഴ ചേർന്ന് കിടക്കുന്ന കെ.ജെ യേശുദാസ് എന്ന ഇതിഹാസ ശബ്ദം നിലനില്കുമ്പോളും ഭാവഗായകൻ എന്ന വിളിപ്പേര് ഒരാൾക്കു കിട്ടുന്നു എങ്കിൽ അത് സാക്ഷാൽ പി. ജയചന്ദ്രൻ എന്ന നമ്മുടെ ജയേട്ടന് തന്നെ  ആയിരിക്കും. അത്ര മാത്രം തേൻ കിനിയുന്ന ഭാവ സൗന്ദര്യമാണ് ആ ശബ്ദത്തിന്. ജയേട്ടനെ കുറിച്ച് ഈ ലക്കത്തിൽ എഴുതാൻ അരവിന്ദ് മതി എന്ന് ശ്രീ പ്രഹ്ളാദ് പറയുമ്പോൾ അത് സന്തോഷമാണോ അതോ സങ്കടം ആണോ ഉള്ളിൽ ഉണ്ടാക്കിയത് എന്ന് പറയാൻ പറ്റാത്ത അവസ്ഥ ആയിരുന്നു.

9 വര്ഷങ്ങള്ക്കു മുന്നേ ആയിരുന്നു എന്റെ സാംസങ് ഫോണിലെ വാട്സ്ആപ്പിൽ ഒരു കോൺടാക്ട് വന്നു വീണത്. “P ജയചന്ദ്രൻ Singer“. അയച്ചു തന്നത് എന്റെ സുഹൃത്തും തബലിസ്റ്റും ആയ പ്രശാന്തേട്ടൻ ആയിരുന്നു. പൊന്നാവണി പാട്ടുകൾ എന്ന എന്റെ ആദ്യ ഓണം ആൽബത്തിലെ 10 പാട്ടുകളിൽ 2 എണ്ണം പാടാൻ വേണ്ടി ആണ് എന്റെ ഉറ്റ സുഹൃത്തും അതിന്റെ സംഗീത സംവിധായകനും ആയ സുരജ്ഉം പിന്നെ നമ്മൾ എല്ലാപേരും ജയേട്ടനെ കിട്ടുമോ എന്ന് ആഗ്രഹിച്ചു തുടങ്ങിയത്. ദാസേട്ടൻ ഒഴികെ പിന്നണി ഗാന രംഗത്തെ ഒട്ടു മിക്ക ഗായകന്മാർ എല്ലാം ഇതിൽ പാടുകയും, മാത്രമല്ല  അവരുടെ ഒക്കെ കൂടെ ഫോണിൽ സംസാരിച്ചു ബന്ധം തുടങ്ങാൻ പറ്റിയതിന്റെ സന്തോഷം ഉള്ളിൽ കൊണ്ട് നടക്കുമ്പോളും, എന്താ എന്ന് അറിയില്ല ജയേട്ടന്റെ നമ്പർ ഫോണിൽ വന്നു കണ്ടപ്പോൾ എന്തോ നിധി കിട്ടിയത് പോലെ ആയിരുന്നു. മലയാളം കണ്ട ലെജൻഡറി ഗായകരിൽ ഒരാൾ ആയതു കൊണ്ടും, മറക്കാൻ പറ്റാത്ത ഒരുപാട് പാട്ടുകൾ ഒരുപാട് തലമുറകൾക് സമ്മാനിച്ചത് കൊണ്ടും ഒക്കെ ആണ് അത്. മാത്രം അല്ല, എവിടെയൊക്കെയോ എന്തൊക്കെയോ എന്റെ അച്ഛനെ ഓർമിപ്പിക്കുന്ന തരത്തിൽ ഉള്ള മുഖഭാവവും, മൂക്കും, ചേഷ്ടകളും ഒക്കെ ആയിരുന്നു ജയേട്ടന്. അത് കൊണ്ട് തന്നെ നമുക്കു എല്ലാപേർക്കും ഉള്ളിൽ തോന്നുന്ന പോലെ – നമുക് ഒട്ടേറെ പരിചയം ഉള്ള ആൾ. പക്ഷെ നമ്മെ ഒട്ടും അറിയില്ല താനും. മിക്ക സെലിബ്രിറ്റിയുടെ അടുത്തും നമുക്ക് ഉള്ള തോന്നൽ അതാണല്ലോ. പക്ഷെ ഇതാ എനിക്ക് നമ്പർ കിട്ടിയിരിക്കുന്നു. വിജയ് യേശുദാസ്, മധു ബാലകൃഷ്ണൻ, ഉണ്ണി മേനോൻ, സുധീപ് കുമാർ, എം.ജി ശ്രീകുമാർ ഇവരോടൊക്കെ ഫോണിൽ സംസാരിച്ചിരുന്നു ഈ ഒരു ആൽബത്തിന് വേണ്ടി. മാത്രമല്ല വളരെ സൗഹൃദപരമായുള്ള അവരുടെ ഇടപെടലുകളും അടുപ്പവും എല്ലാം മനസിന് സന്തോഷം തന്നിരുന്ന സമയവും കൂടെ ആയിരുന്നു, ഇനി ഇപ്പോൾ ദാസേട്ടന് ഒപ്പം മനസ്സിൽ കൊണ്ട് നടക്കുന്ന ജയേട്ടനോട് സംസാരിക്കാമല്ലോ, വാട്സ്ആപ് ചാറ്റ് നടത്താമല്ലോ, കൂട്ടാകാമല്ലോ ഇതൊക്കെ ആയിരുന്നു എന്റെ ചിന്ത.

പക്ഷെ അത്ര എളുപ്പം ആയിരുന്നില്ല സജി കാര്യങ്ങൾ…

ഫാഷൻ ഒക്കെ ഒരുപാട് ഇഷ്ടപെടുന്ന ജയേട്ടന്റെ വാട്സ്ആപ് പ്രൊഫൈൽ പിക്ചർ കാണാൻ ആയിരുന്നു ആദ്യത്തെ തിടുക്കം. ജയേട്ടനെ വാട്സ്ആപ്പിൽ കാണാനെ ഇല്ല. ആഹ് പോട്ടെ. അതൊന്നും ഇഷ്ടം ആയിരിക്കില്ല എന്ന് കരുതി. ഒന്നോ രണ്ടോ SMS അയച്ചു നോക്കി, No രക്ഷ. പ്രശാന്തേട്ടനെ വിളിച്ചു. ഇനി നമ്പർ വല്ലതും മാറിപ്പോയോ എന്ന് അറിയില്ലല്ലോ. പ്രശാന്തേട്ടൻ ചോദിച്ചു – “നീ വിളിച്ചു നോക്കിയോ ?” ഞാൻ ഇല്ലെന്നു പറഞ്ഞു. “ആ വിളിച്ചു നോക്ക്, എന്നിട്ട് കിട്ടാൻ ഉള്ളത് വാങ്ങി വെച്ചോ” എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞിട്ട് പ്രശാന്തേട്ടൻ ചിരിച്ചിട്ട് ഫോൺ വെച്ചു. അയ്യോ ഇനി മെസ്സേജിങ് എന്ന സംവിധാനമേ ഇഷ്ടം ഇല്ലാത്ത ആളാണോ എന്നൊക്കെ കരുതി ഞാൻ അങ്ങ് കേറി വിളിച്ചു, കേട്ടാൽ ജയേട്ടൻ തന്നെ എന്ന് 100 % ശതമാനം ഉറപ്പുള്ള ശൈലിയിൽ ഒരു ഹലോ കേട്ടു. ജയേട്ടന്റെ പാട്ടു കേൾക്കുമ്പോൾ ഉണ്ടാകുന്ന അതെ സന്തോഷം ആ ഹലോ വിളിയിലും എനിക്ക് കിട്ടി. ഞാൻ തുടർന്നു – “ജയേട്ടാ  നമസ്കാരം , ഞാൻ  അരവിന്ദ് ആണ്.” ജയേട്ടന്റെ മറുപടി വെടിയുണ്ട പോലെ പെട്ടെന്ന് ആയിരുന്നു-   “ഏതു അരവിന്ദ്…???” ദേഷ്യത്തിൽ ഉള്ള സ്വരം ആയിരുന്നു. അത് മുതൽ നമ്മുടെ രണ്ടു പാട്ടുകൾ പാടാൻ നിശ്ചയിച്ചിരുന്ന ദിവസത്തിന്റെ തലേ ദിവസം വരെ ഉള്ള ജയേട്ടനെ സംസാര ശൈലി മുഴുവൻ ധാർഷ്ട്യ രൂപത്തിൽ തന്നെ ആയിരുന്നു. “മെസ്സേജ് ഒന്നും ഞാൻ നോക്കാറില്ല എന്തേലും ഉണ്ടേൽ വിളിക്കണം” – എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞത് കൊണ്ട് മാത്രം 2 തവണ കൂടി വിളിച്ചു. പക്ഷെ ഇത്ര പരുക്കൻ രീതി കണ്ടിട്ട്  ഞാൻ ഒന്ന് ജയേട്ടനെ കുറിച്ച അന്വേഷിക്കാമെന്നു കരുതി. ഇങ്ങനെ തന്നെ ആണ് എന്ന് അറിയാൻ കഴിഞ്ഞു. മാത്രമല്ല ഒരുപാട് വിളിച്ചു ഓവർ ആക്കിയാൽ പുള്ളി റെക്കോർഡിങ്ങിനു പോലും വരില്ല എന്നും ആരോ പറഞ്ഞു. എന്തായാലും റെക്കോർഡിങിന്റെ തലേ ദിവസം ഞങ്ങൾ തൃശൂർ എത്തി. വൈകുന്നേരം ആയപ്പോൾ ഒന്ന് ഓർമ്മിപ്പിക്കാൻ ആയി ഞാൻ ഒന്ന് കൂടെ വിളിച്ചു – “ജയേട്ടാ അരവിന്ദ് ആണ് . നമ്മൾ ഇവിടെ എത്തി. നാളെ 11 മണിക്ക് ആണ് റെക്കോർഡിങ് .” ഒരു മൂളൽ കേട്ടോ ഇല്ലയോ എന്ന് പോലും ഓർമ ഇല്ല. ഫോൺ നിമിഷങ്ങൾ കൊണ്ട് കട്ട് ചെയ്തു. നാളെ ജയേട്ടൻ എത്തുമോ ഇല്ലയോ എന്ന് വരെ സംശയം ആയി. ശ്രീരാഗം സ്റ്റുഡിയോ യിലെ സൗണ്ട് എഞ്ചിനീയർ എന്തോ അർത്ഥ ഭാവത്തിൽ നമ്മെ നോക്കി ചിരിച്ചു, ഞാൻ ഇത് എത്ര കണ്ടിരിക്കുന്നു എന്ന ഭാവത്തിൽ.

പിറ്റേ ദിവസം ആദ്യത്തെ റെക്കോർഡിങ് വെച്ചിരുന്നത്. പിന്നണി ഗായികയും ഹിന്ദുസ്ഥാനി സംഗീതത്തിൽ നമ്മുടെ അഭിമാനവുമായ ഗായത്രി അശോകനുമായിട്ടായിരുന്നു. പുള്ളിക്കാരിയും തൃശൂർ ആണല്ലോ. വളരെ പെട്ടെന്ന് നമ്മളുമായി ഒട്ടേറെ അടുത്തു ഗായത്രി. സൂരജിന്റെ കോമ്പോസിഷന്റെ ബ്രില്ലിയൻസിനെ പറ്റി ഒക്കെ സംസാരിച്ചിട്ട് റെക്കോർഡിങ് നടന്നു കൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്ന സമയത്തു അപ്രതീക്ഷിതമായിട്ട് ഒരു പൊക്കം കുറഞ്ഞ മനുഷ്യൻ മീശ ഒക്കെ ചുരുട്ടി കതകു തള്ളി തുറന്നു പെട്ടെന്നു അകത്തു വന്നു അവിടെ ഉള്ള സോഫയിൽ കേറി ഇരുന്നു. അത് നമ്മുടെ സാക്ഷാൽ ജയേട്ടൻ ആണെന്ന് മനസിന് ഉൾക്കൊള്ളാൻ അല്പം സമയം എടുത്തു. മാത്രം അല്ല, അല്പം നേരത്തെ ആണ് ജയേട്ടൻ എത്തിയിരിക്കുന്നതും.  ഗായത്രി പാടി കൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്നു. സൗണ്ട് എഞ്ചിനീയർ പെട്ടെന്ന് എല്ലാം നിർത്തി. ഗായത്രി ഹെഡ്സെറ്റ് എല്ലാം ഊരി വെയ്ക്കുന്നത് കണ്ടു. സംഗതി പാളിയോ? എന്തേലും ഇഷ്ടം ആയില്ല എങ്കിൽ ജയേട്ടൻ സ്റ്റുഡിയോയിൽ നിന്ന് ഇറങ്ങി പോകാറാണ് പതിവ് എന്നൊക്കെ രാവിലെ കേട്ടതേ ഉള്ളു. മുഖത്തു ദേഷ്യം പോലെ ഉണ്ട് താനും. ഗായത്രിയുടെ റെക്കോർഡിങ് തീരാത്തത് കൊണ്ടാണോ എന്നൊക്കെ നമ്മൾ വിചാരിച്ചു. പിന്നെ മുതൽ അവിടെ കണ്ടത് ഗായത്രിയുടെ മാജിക് ആയിരുന്നു. ഓടി വന്നു ജയേട്ടനെ കെട്ടി പിടിച്ച്, കുശലാന്വേഷണം ഒക്കെ നടത്തി, ഞാൻ പോണേ ജയേട്ടാ എന്നൊക്കെ പറഞ്ഞു മൊത്തത്തിൽ അവിടെ ഉള്ള മൂഡിനെ മാറ്റി, നമ്മളെ എല്ലാപേരെയും ജയേട്ടനുമായി നിമിഷങ്ങൾ കൊണ്ട് സെറ്റ് ആക്കി വാതിൽ തുറന്നു പുറത്തു പോയി. ഞാനും നമ്മുടെ സുഹൃത്ത് അരുൺ ചന്ദും സൂരജിനോട് ജയേട്ടനെ നോക്കിക്കോളാൻ ആംഗ്യം കാണിച്ചിട്ട് പുറത്തേക് കൂടെ ഇറങ്ങി. ഗായത്രി പറഞ്ഞു – ഒട്ടും ടെൻഷൻ അടിക്കേണ്ട. നിങ്ങൾക് മാജിക്കൽ ഔട്ട്പുട്ട് കിട്ടണം എങ്കിൽ ജയേട്ടൻ നല്ല മൂഡിൽ ആയിരിക്കണം. ഞാൻ പിന്നെ വന്നോളാം. നിങ്ങളുടെ മുഖത്തെ ടെൻഷൻ ആദ്യം കളയൂ. എത്രമാത്രം ആശ്വാസം നമ്മുടെ മനസിന് തന്നിട്ടാണ് ഗായത്രി പോയതെന്ന് എത്ര പറഞ്ഞാലും മതി ആവില്ല .. 

നമ്മൾ പതുക്കെ അകത്തേക്ക് കയറി. സൂരജ്ഉം കവി ശ്യാം എനാത്തും ഒക്കെ ജയേട്ടനെ സ്വയം പരിചയപെട്ടിട്ട് നമ്മളെയും പരിചയപ്പെടുത്തി. ഓ താൻ ആണ് അരവിന്ദ് അല്ലെ? നമ്മൾ എല്ലാം കാൽക്കൽ തൊട്ട് അനുഗ്രഹം വാങ്ങിച്ചു. ഭാഗ്യം ജയേട്ടൻ നല്ല മൂഡിൽ ആണ്. “ഓക്കെ നമുക്ക് പാട്ടു നോക്കാം”  എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞിട്ട് ജയേട്ടൻ പാട്ടിന്റെ പ്രിന്റഡ് പേപ്പർ കയ്യിൽ എടുത്തു. പിന്നെ അവിടെ നടന്ന ഒരു മൂന്നു മണിക്കൂറത്തെ അനുഭവം വാക്കിനാൽ പറയുക സാധ്യമല്ല. ഇതിനു മുന്നേ ഉള്ള എല്ലാ പാട്ടുകാരും എന്താണോ സൂരജ്‌ ട്രാക്ക് പാടി വെച്ചിട്ടുള്ളത് അത് അണു വിട തെറ്റാതെ ട്യൂണും സ്വരസ്ഥാനവും മാറാതെ ഭംഗിയായി പാടി തന്നു എന്നുള്ളത് ശെരി തന്നെ ആണ്. ഉണ്ണിയേട്ടൻ (ഉണ്ണി മേനോൻ) കുറച്ചു പൊടി കൈകൾ കൂടെ എക്സ്ട്രാ തന്നു എന്ന് മാത്രം. പക്ഷെ ജയേട്ടന്റെ കാര്യങ്ങൾ വേറെ ഒരു ലെവലിൽ ആണ് അവിടെ സംഭവിച്ചത്. ഒരു കാര്യം ആദ്യമേ പറഞ്ഞു കൊള്ളട്ടെ. മ്യൂസിക് ഡയറക്ടർ തന്റെ ഭാവനയിൽ മെനഞ്ഞു വെച്ചിരിക്കുന്ന ഒരു സൃഷ്ടി അതേ രീതിയിൽ പെട്ടെന്ന് കിട്ടിയില്ല എങ്കിൽ നിരാശൻ ആകും എന്നത് സ്വാഭാവികം ആണ്. ഇവിടെ അങ്ങനെ ഒക്കെ തുടക്കത്തിൽ ഉണ്ടാകുകയും ചെയ്തു. പിന്നെ ജയേട്ടൻ പാടുമ്പോൾ ഒരുപാട് നിർദേശങ്ങൾ കൊടുത്താൽ ഇറങ്ങി പോകും എന്നുള്ളത് ഉറപ്പുള്ള മറ്റൊരു കാര്യവും. പക്ഷെ ഞാൻ പറയാൻ ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്ന ഒരു കാര്യം നമ്മൾ എല്ലാം അനുഭവിച്ച ഒരു അഭൗമമായ ഒരു അനുഭൂതിയെ കുറിച്ചാണ്. ജയേട്ടൻ തെറ്റി പാടുന്നത് തന്നെ കേൾക്കാൻ എന്താ ഒരു സുഖം ആണ്! ഇവിടെ തെറ്റി പാടുന്നത് എന്ന് ഉദേശിച്ചത് കമ്പോസർ ചെയ്തു വെച്ചിരിക്കുന്നതിൽ നിന്ന് വ്യതിചലിക്കുന്നതിനെ ആണ് കേട്ടോ. ഒരു പക്ഷെ അതായിരിക്കാം ജയേട്ടന്റെ മനസ്സിലും, ഹൃദയത്തിലും, ബ്രയിനിലും ശെരിയായി ഉരുത്തിരിഞ്ഞു ഭാവഗീതമായി പുറത്തു വരുന്നത്. ഇങ്ങനെ പാടി പാടി ജയേട്ടൻ തന്നെ അവസാനം ട്രാക്കിലെ പോലെ പാടി തരുകയും ചെയ്യും. പക്ഷെ പറഞ്ഞറിയിക്കാൻ പറ്റാത്ത ഒരു വ്യത്യാസം ഓരോ വാക്കിലും ഫീൽ ചെയ്യും അതും ഭാവഗായകന്റെ തൊണ്ടയിൽ നിന്ന് വരുമ്പോൾ. ജയേട്ടൻ വോക്കൽ ബൂത്തിൽ നിന്ന് കൊണ്ട് – “പുലരി പൂ മഞ്ഞല തഴുകി അരികെ നീ വാ” എന്ന വാരി പാടുമ്പോൾ  അക്ഷരാർത്ഥത്തിൽ നമ്മൾ എല്ലാ പേരും മുഖത്തോടു മുഖം നോക്കി ചിരിച്ചു. ആ ചിരി എന്തിനാ ചിരിച്ചേ എന്ന് നമുക് ആർക്കും തന്നെ അപ്പോൾ പറയാൻ കഴിയുമായിരുന്നില്ല. പക്ഷെ ആ സ്റ്റുഡിയോയിൽ ഇരുന്ന എല്ലാപേരുടെ മുഖത്തും ഒരു പുഞ്ചിരി നൽകാൻ ആ ആലാപനത്തിനു സാധിച്ചു എങ്കിൽ, എന്താ പറയുക?? മഞ്ഞല എന്ന വാക്കും ജയേട്ടന്റെ ശബ്ദവും കേട്ടാൽ ആ വാക്ക് ഇനി ദാസേട്ടൻ പാടേണ്ട ആവശ്യം ഇല്ല തോന്നി പോകും. അത് മാത്രം അല്ല. ഓരോ വാക്കും ജയേട്ടൻ പാടുമ്പോൾ നമുക്ക് തോന്നുന്നത് 70 വർഷത്തിൽ അവർ പറയാത്ത വാക്കുകൾ ഉണ്ടാവില്ല എന്നാണു. തുടക്കക്കാർ ആയ നമ്മുടെ മുന്നിലെ സ്‌പീക്കറിൽ നിന്ന് പുറത്തു വരുന്നത്, ദേവരാജൻ മാഷും, ദക്ഷിണാമൂർത്തി സ്വാമികളും, അർജുനൻ മാഷും, ജോൺസൻ മാഷും, രവീന്ദ്രൻ മാഷും ഒക്കെ സ്ഫുടം ചെയ്തു എടുത്ത ഭാവഗായകന്റെ തേനൂറുന്ന മാന്ത്രിക ശബ്ദമാണ്. ഇതിനു അപ്പുറം ഈ ലോകത്ത് എന്ത് വേണം എന്ന് തോന്നി പോയ അവസ്ഥ. പതിവ് പോലെ സംഗീതത്തിന് അടിമപ്പെടുമ്പോൾ കാരണം അറിയാതെ ഉള്ള കണ്ണീർ അപ്പോളും ഉതിർന്നു വീണു. ജയേട്ടൻ പാടിയത് ഒന്നും കളയണ്ട എന്ന് സൂരജ്  സൗണ്ട് എഞ്ചിനീരിന്റെ കൂടെ പറയുകയും ചെയ്തു. 

ഈ ഓൾഡ് ഈസ് ഗോൾഡ്, പഴയതിന്റെ വീര്യം എന്നൊക്കെ ചുമ്മാ പറയുന്നതു വേറെ, അനുഭവിക്കുന്നത് വേറെ. “Aged 70 years” ന്റെ മാജിക് അന്ന് നമ്മൾ അനുഭവിച്ചു അറിഞ്ഞു. ഒരു വല്ലാത്ത മനഃപൂർവ്വമായ അലസതയുടെ സൗന്ദര്യം ജയേട്ടൻ വാക്കുകളിൽ സമന്വയിപ്പിക്കുന്നതായിട്ട് തോന്നാറുണ്ട്. രണ്ടു പാട്ടുകൾ പാടി കഴിഞ്ഞു ജയേട്ടൻ നമ്മോടു കൂടുതൽ അടുത്തു. നമ്മുടെ കുടുംബ കാര്യങ്ങളും, ജയേട്ടന്റെ വിശേഷങ്ങളും ഒക്കെ പങ്കു വെച്ചു.

“ഗായത്രി നല്ല പാട്ടുകാരിയാ ഞാൻ കേട്ടു. പക്ഷെ അവൾ എന്തിനാ പാട്ടിന്റെ സ്വരം ഒക്കെ എഴുതി വെച്ചേ ?? ഓരോ ലൈനിന്റെയും സ്വരങ്ങൾ ഒക്കെ എഴുതി വെയ്ക്കുന്നത് കണ്ടു. അതിന്റെ ഒക്കെ ആവശ്യം ഉണ്ടോ?. അങ്ങ് പാടുക. സ്വരങ്ങൾ ഒക്കെ പിന്നെ അല്ലെ ഉണ്ടായത് ?” – എന്നൊക്കെ പറഞ്ഞു ജയേട്ടൻ തമാശകൾ ഒക്കെ പറയാൻ തുടങ്ങി. ഒരു കൊച്ചു കുട്ടി ചോദിക്കുന്നത് പോലെ നമ്മോട് എങ്ങനെ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു ആ ലൈൻ പാടിയത് എന്ന് വരെ ജയേട്ടൻ ചോദിച്ചു. ആ ഇതിഹാസത്തിനു അതിന്റെ ഒന്നും ആവശ്യം ഇല്ല. പക്ഷെ സംഗീതത്തിനോടുള്ള ജയേട്ടന്റെ അഭിനിവേശവും പ്രണയവും അന്ന് നമ്മൾ കണ്ടു. മാത്രം അല്ല ആ പ്രഭാവം, സ്റ്റൈൽ ഒന്നും തന്നെ മറക്കാൻ കഴിയുന്നില്ല. പക്ഷെ ഫോൺ മാത്രം ഒരു ബേസിക് ആയ ഒന്ന്. ടച്ച് സ്ക്രീൻ ഫോണോ, വാട്സാപ്പോ ഒന്നും അത്രയ്ക്കു പിടിത്തമില്ല ജയേട്ടന്. നമ്മളെ എല്ലാപേരെയും കെട്ടി പിടിച്ചു സൂരജിന് ഒരു മുത്തവും കൊടുത്തിട്ട് ആണ് ജയേട്ടൻ അന്ന് യാത്ര ആയതു. ഒരു  വൊൽക്‌സ്‌വാഗൻ പോളോയിൽ ഒരു ചെറുപ്പക്കാരൻ പയ്യനെ പോലെ നമ്മോടു യാത്ര പറഞ്ഞു ജയേട്ടൻ.

പല തവണ ഞാൻ അതിനു ശേഷം ജയേട്ടനെ ഫോണിൽ വിളിച്ചു പരിചയം പുതുക്കി. പിന്നീട് ഒരിക്കൽ തിരുവനന്തപുരത്തു ഒരു റെക്കോർഡിങ്ങിനു വന്നപ്പോൾ ഞാൻ ബാലരാമപുരം കൈത്തറിയുടെ ഒരു കസവു മുണ്ടു ഓർമ്മ സമ്മാനമായി കൊടുക്കുകയും ചെയ്തു. “ഇതൊക്കെ നല്ല വില ആകില്ലേ, ആ എന്തായാലും  സന്തോഷം” എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞിട്ട്  ജയേട്ടൻ ഒരു കള്ളചിരിയും സമ്മാനിച്ചു. ഒരിക്കലും ക്ഷീണം ബാധിക്കില്ല എന്ന് തോന്നിപ്പിക്കുന്ന ശരീര ഭാഷ ആയിരുന്നു ജയേട്ടന്. കുറച്ചു മാസങ്ങൾക് മുന്നേ ക്ഷീണിതൻ ആയുള്ള ജയേട്ടനെ കാണാൻ തന്നെ മനസിന് ബുദ്ധിമുട്ട് ആയിരുന്നു. ഒന്ന് വിളിക്കണം എന്ന് പല തവണ തോന്നിയതും ആയിരുന്നു. പക്ഷെ ചെയ്തില്ല. അത്രമാത്രം ഫോൺ കോളുകൾ ജയേട്ടന് വരുന്നുണ്ടാകും എന്ന് മനസ്സിൽ കരുതി. ഇന്നിപ്പോൾ ഇത് എഴുതുമ്പോളും ജയേട്ടന്റെ “ഉറങ്ങാതെ രാവുറങ്ങീല” എന്ന ഗാനം പശ്ചാത്തലിൽ കേൾക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. ജയേട്ടന്റെ ശബ്ദത്തിൽ ഹിന്ദോളം കേൾക്കാൻ വല്ലാത്ത ഒരു സുഖമാണ്. “ശിശിര കാല മേഖ മിഥുന” എന്ന കീരവാണിയുടെ ഗാനത്തിലൂടെ ജയേട്ടൻ ഹിന്ദോളത്തെ അമർത്തുന്നതും, ലോലമായി തലോടുന്നതും ഒക്കെ കാണാം. അതു പോലെ “വെൺചന്ദ്ര ലേഖയൊരപ്സര സ്ത്രീ” എന്ന വയലാർ-ദേവരാജൻ മാഷ്-ദാസേട്ടൻ  മാജിക്കിലെ ഹിന്ദോള  ഗാനം ജയേട്ടൻ പാടിയ ഒരു വേർഷൻ യൂട്യൂബിൽ ഉണ്ട്. വല്ലാത്ത ഒരു അനുഭവം ആണ് അത്.

ജയേട്ടൻ നമ്മെ വിട്ടു പോയി. ദൂരെയേതോ മർത്യ ഭാഷ കേൾക്കാത്ത ലോകത്തു മധു തേടി പോയി. കനകാംബരങ്ങൾ വാടിയിട്ടും മോഹം കൊണ്ട് നമ്മൾ എല്ലാപേരും കടത്തു വെള്ളത്തിൽ അങ്ങയെ കാണാൻ എത്താറുണ്ട്. പക്ഷെ “നിന്നെ മാത്രം കണ്ടില്ലല്ലോ, നീ മാത്രം വന്നില്ലല്ലോ” എന്നുള്ള തോന്നൽ – “സമയ രഥങ്ങളിൽ അങ്ങ് മറുകര തേടുന്നു” എന്നുള്ള യാഥാർഥ്യം നെഞ്ചിൽ ഊട്ടി ഉറപ്പിക്കുന്നു. പല തവണ അങ്ങയെ നേരിട്ട് കണ്ടിട്ടുണ്ട് എങ്കിലും എന്റെ മനസ്സിൽ പതിഞ്ഞു കിടക്കുന്നത് ദൂരേക്ക് മറയുന്ന ആ പോളോ കാറിന്റെ ഡ്രൈവിംഗ് സീറ്റിൽ ഇരുന്നു കൊണ്ട് എവിടെയൊക്കെയോ എന്റെ അച്ഛനെ ഓർമിപ്പിക്കുന്ന ചിരി ചിരിച്ചോണ്ട് ബൈ ബൈ പറയുന്ന അങ്ങെയാണ്.

എഴുത്തു നിർത്തുമ്പോൾ ഗിരീഷ് പുത്തഞ്ചേരിയുടെയും, പി.ഭാസ്കരൻ മാഷിന്റെയും അങ്ങ് ഭാവം നൽകിയ വരികൾ ഓർത്തു പോകുന്നു – 

“കൊഴിഞ്ഞിട്ടും എന്തിനോ പൂക്കാൻ തുടങ്ങുന്ന… കാവ്യ പുസ്തകമല്ലോ അങ്ങയുടെ ജീവിതം” 

— അരവിന്ദ്

---

Summer is in full swing, and there is so much excitement for the 2024 Paris Olympics! All eyes are on Team USA as they prepare for an unforgettable performance, and we are equally thrilled about Team India already securing two medals and aiming for even more.

Meanwhile, the COMA Executive Committee is diligently preparing for one of our biggest events of the year – our Onam celebrations. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your cultural talents and entertain fellow Malayalees. We encourage you to sign up for performances and reach out to the Executive Committee if you’re interested in volunteering for the Onam event. Your support will be vital in making this event a resounding success. This year’s COMA Onam will be on September 7th Saturday. Onam tickets will open up shortly, keep an eye out for that and more details about the event.

Here’s another reminder to renew your COMA annual memberships. Please note that memberships run from July 1^st of the current year to June 30^th of the following year. COMA Membership for 2024-2025 is now available for purchase on the COMA website!

• https://www.comaohio.org/product/membership-2024/

— Smitha Nishant

Red tailed hawk – A poem by Aadhya Pradeesh

(Aadhya Pradeesh is a rising 4th grader at Shale Meadows Elementary. She’s the daughter of former EC member Pradeesh Puthiyattil and Aswathi Pradeesh.)

A firey red
On their tail
The great precise birds

Just so proud
Squawking
Very loud

Fenix and Torch
Their eyes badly hurt
People take care of them

Flying so high
Are those kings
Of our skies

Why teens should do CPR, first aid, and babysitting training – by Lipikha Sreejith

(Lipikha is an avid dreamer, and she enjoys swimming and singing . A foodie at times, she loves to travel. She goes to Hyatts Middle School and is a Red Cross certified baby-sitter. Liphika is the daughter of regular COMA patrons Deepika and Sreejith Chandran.)

Image: Poster created by Liphika using Adobe Express.

The life of a Malayalee American – by Nish Nishant

(Nish is a wannabe writer who has unsuccessfully attempted to make a living as a published author. He lives with his wife Smitha and son Rohan in Worthington, Ohio.)

There is an anecdotal opinion among non-Malayalee Indians that there is no spot on this planet where you would be hard-pressed to find a Malayalee. While I am unsure of the veracity of that theory, Malayalees have certainly flourished in the United States of America. The dichotomy of being both Malayalee and American can often be an interesting experience, and most Malayalees embrace this clash of cultures with a belligerent and yet cheerful approach. I often find myself telling people that I am not just an Indian American but that I am particularly a Malayalee American. Now that may be awfully specific, but my Malayalee identity forms the core of my persona and it’s fairly impossible to look around that.

One of my pet theories as to why Malayalees effortlessly assimilate into American sub-culture is that we don’t have a dietary block when it comes to American food. Kerala is one of the few states in India where any four-legged bovine animal is at any arbitrary point in time at certain risk of being slaughtered and consumed for food. I never get tired of reminding my American friends that unlike their other Indian acquaintances, I have no issues in consuming substantial quantities of filet mignon, pork chops, and bacon. And boy, do we love our liquor or what? I am yet to meet a Malayalee American who wasn’t scholarly about various kinds of wines, scotch whiskies, and beers. We may have travelled half way across the globe to lead new lives, but we’ve taken our fondness and tolerance for booze with us.

Malayalee Americans may listen to Katy Perry and The Black Eyed Peas, but at the faintest hint of a tune by K J Yesudas or K S Chithra, we go back to being Malayalee music enthusiasts. Mohanlal, Mammooty, Suresh Gopi, and Prithviraj continue to occupy the same ranks in our hearts as Tom Cruise, Keanu Reeves, and Bruce Willis. The cliché that you can take a Malayalee out of Kerala, but that you can never entirely take Kerala out of a Malayalee holds surprisingly true. This detail can be quite simply observed at any Malayalee cultural event across America, including events organized by our very own COMA. Kids who were born here and some of who have never set foot in Kerala sing and dance to the beats of popular Malayalam songs. Many of them watch Asianet and Surya TV when they come home from school, although it’s questionable as to whether that’s a great idea these days!

That said, at the end of the day, the one absolute certainty is that we Malayalee Americans are all the same, more or less speaking. Husband and wife looking to grow their careers, hoping to send their children to top colleges, saving up to buy a comfortable home in a nice neighborhood, keeping our weekends free to socialize and have fun with friends and family – yeah, we really are all the same. We are Americans and we are Malayalees, and we are proud of those independent identities. Cheers to all my fellow Malayalee Americans!

[This article was originally published in the COMA souvenir for the 2013 Suresh Gopi show.]