The Geethavani Awards 2010, an annual event of the Sydney OBA, was held Saturday, 12 June at the Bankstown Town Hall Auditorium under the patronage of its President, V.Santhirasegaram.
The colourful event - an evening of exciting music competition, had an array of pop, cine songs and wonderful fusion music.
The event started with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp (Mangala Vilakku) by Mr & Mrs.Shiva Pasupathy. Mr.Shiva Pasupathy was the former Attorney General of Sri Lanka and a prestigious old boy of Jaffna Hindu.
That was followed by hoisting of Australian national flag by Mr.Narayanasuwami, UN Official in Philippines and an old boy of Jaffna Hindu and the College flag by Mr.S.Ponnampalam, former Principal of Jaffna Hindu College.
The event attracted almost 1000; the Auditorium was fully packed with Tamil music lovers from the multi cultural community in Sydney including old boys of Jaffna Hindu College.
Like in 2009, this year too, the prestigious ‘Geethavani Awards’ for the outstanding performance was judged under four categories; category 1: solo 12 – 18 age group, category2: solo 19 – 35 age group, category3: solo over 35 age group and duet.
Nine contestants in the single categories (1,2 and 3) and three pairs in the duet category entertained the crowd with their mesmerizing voice. These final contestants were selected from a number of entrants.
The Musical programme was directed by the talented Maestro artist, Vaadya’ Visharadh, Sarangan Sri Ranganathan; he was ably supported by many renowned artists.
The singing competition started with the challenge for the award under category3 (over 35 age group) and followed by category 1, 2 and duet.
The winners of the competition under each category were chosen by the votes of the audience. The Winners were:
Category 1: Ms.Babitha Selvanathan, award sponsored by Mr.Masilamany Nanthakumaran
Category 2: Dr.Aravinthan Bharathy, award sponsored by TSS World Money Transfer
Category 3: Ms.Suganthi Nimalan, award sponsored by VIM Tech
Duet: Ms.Kaavya Jaishankar and Ms.Divya Sooraj, award sponsored by BJ Accounting
Each winner received 500 Dollar cash prize.
Mr.V.Santhirasegaram, President Sydney OBA delivering his welcome speech outlined the projects that will be funded with the evening's proceeding.
The funds raised from the event will be used in assisting the educational development of displaced Tamil communities within Sri Lanka and in further enhancing and developing the education provided by the Jaffna Hindu College.
The proceeds from last year’s event had gone towards assisting the education of displaced students from Vanni. A total of forty six students benefited from the project; each received 10,000 rupees to meet their immediate basic needs to commence/recommence their education. The donation was channelled through the secretary of the All Ceylon Hindu Congress, an old boy of Jaffna Hindu College, who took the responsibility to distribute the money.
The President thanked the committee members, advisers and other volunteers for their commitment, contribution and the teamwork, without which this event would not have happened, he said.
Mr.Jeyakanthan, Secretary Sydney OBA delivered the Vote of Thanks.
Mr.M.Kuhasri,Ms.Durga and Mr.M.Prabaharan, as Masters of Ceremony conducted the event very well.
The event that started at 6.30pm came to an end by 11 pm with the award ceremony.
College Song by Old Boys
Mr.S.Ponnampalam, former Principal of Jaffna Hindu College hoists the College flag
Mr.V.Santhirasegaram, President Sydney OBA delivering welcome speech
Mr.Jeyakanthan, Secretary Sydney OBA delivering Vote of Thanks
The Audience at Geethavani Awards 2010 enjoying the evening
Ms.Babitha Selvanathan, Winner of the Geethavani Awards 2010 - Category 1
Dr.Aravinthan Bharathy, Winner of the Geethavani Awards 2010 - Category 2
Ms.Kaavya Jaishankar and Ms.Divya Sooraj, Winners of the Geethavani Awards 2010 - Duet Category
The Winners of the Geethavni 2010 Awards; Ms.Suganthi Nimalan, Category 3 Winner in the centre
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Babithan Selvananthan - WEB page master could you please add "n" th an please? in the prize category above.
My personal thanks goes to Mr and Mrs Sukumar who assisted us in selling meal tokens and in distribution of dinner parcels. Thank you again for all other volunteers
Suthan
JHC OBA Sydney
Committee Member