Page 29 - The Indian EYE 112026

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline NOVEMBER 20, 2026 | The Indian Eye 29

claimed mridangam maestro, educa- Kerala Center Trustee, presented the
tor, composer, author, and cultural award.
ambassador of Indian Classical Music, The souvenir released on the oc-
with a distinguished career spanning casion of this award ceremony was
several decades. He is the founder of released by Committee Chair Mary
TSN’s Percussive Arts Centre (TSN- Philip in the presence of other com-
PAC) in New Jersey, USA, which mittee members Jose Kadappuram
has trained thousands of students. and Mathew Vazhappally by giving
He was introduced by Shynu Gee- a copy to Sarggavedi Coordinator
vargheese, member of the Kerala Manohar Thomas.
Center, and Abraham Philip, Exec- Several community organization
utive Director, presented the award. leaders including leaders of organi-
The awardee for excellence in zations like Pioneer Club, Sarggave-
community service, Sibi David, has di, GOPIO, FOKANA, FOMAA,
dedicated himself to public service, etc. attended the ceremony.
arts of Kerala, culture, humanitari- Kerala Center office bear-
an initiatives and community lead- ers Abraham Thomas, John Paul,
ership for four decades. He started Kerala Center Executive Committee, Board and Trustees with the 2026 awardees Mathew Vazhappally and Jason Ge-
‘Art 4 Life’ to support underprivi- evarghese coordinated the programs.
leged children in Kerala and creat- Daisy Stephen Palliparambil, who
ed several platforms for artists and awardee of the Kerala Center, and member of the Kerala Center, and J. was the MC of the ceremony, made
young talents. He was introduced by Baby Uralil, Kerala Center Board Mathews, member of Kerala Center this program a heart-touching expe-
Samuel Joseph, youth forum secre- member and former FOMAA pres- and respected leader of the Malay- rience. The beautiful songs of Tah-
tary of the Kerala Center, and Jose ident, presented the award. alee community, presented the award. seen, Bincy and Prem Krishnan and
Kadapuaram, Board member, pre- The awardee for excellence in The 2025 awardee for excellence the dances by the artists of the art
sented the award. Pravasi Malayalam Literature, Jose in Govt. and public service, Inspec- group coordinated by Dr. Madhu Pil-
The awardee for excellence in Cheripuram is a naturally talented tor Shibu Madhu, who could not at- lai added color to the award ceremo-
education, Prince Johnson is a 27- poet and humorist. He is active in tend the ceremony last year, was also ny. Secretary Raju Thomas thanked
year veteran educator who won the literary groups such as Sarggavedi recognized this year. He is the first the dignitaries, audience, sponsors
2026 New York State Teacher of the and LANA. He is the author of two Indian American to achieve the rank and everyone who worked to make
Year award as well as the 2025 Gilder books, and continues to write poet- of Inspector in the history of NYPD. the event a success. The curtain fell
Lehrman New York History Teach- ry, humor and articles in print and He was introduced by Joel Thom- on the 2026 awards ceremony with a
er of the Year award. He was intro- online media. He was introduced as, youth forum Treasurer of Kera- sumptuous dinner catered by the Co-
duced by Dr. Anna George, past by Amey Cheripuram, youth forum la Center, and Appen Menon, Esq., tillion Restaurant.

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