KOZHIKODE: Representatives from all spheres of the society were present at the 100th birth anniversary celebrations of Zamorin P K S Raja at the Zamorin Government Higher Secondary School here on Friday. The concluding ceremony of the four-day celebrations was inaugurated by former Union Minister K P Unnikishnan, who highlighted the importance of the Zamorin royal family in the history of Malabar.
Gandhian Thayattu Balan was awarded the P K S Raja Religious Harmony Award for his contribution to the society. K Muraleedharan MLA presented the award to Balan at the event. “It is the experiences of living with common people that has helped me to live the way I am. I am humbled and proud to be the recipient of this award. I will keep on working for the causes that I have raised always,” said Tayattu Balan in his speech after receiving the award.
K Muraleedharan MLA, in his speech, said that the new generation had not studied the history of the Zamorins to know the contributions of the kingdom to the Malabar. He added that the communal tolerance and religious harmony of Kozhikode was inevitably a contribution of the Zamorin rule of Kozhikode.
Singer Vijay Yesudas visited the venue and inaugurated ‘Ganamela’ by singing a few lines of a song from ‘Indian Rupee’.Other political leaders like Purushan Kadalundi MLA, BJP District Secretary Raghunath also wished the centenarian good health and prosperity. P V Chandran gifted PKS Raja with a sketch portrait of him. Guruvayur Devaswom Chairman T V Chandramohan presented P K S Raja with a crown which is used in the art form of Krishnanattom at the event. Chandramohan also presented Raja with ‘prasadam’ of the Guruvayur Temple.
Religious leaders like Kozhikode Chief Khasi Imbichiahemed Haji and Thamarassery Bishop Mar Remigiose Inchananiyil also greeted P K S Raja and blessed him with good health. Script Writer T A Razak represented the artist community and wished the Zamorin a long life. Malayala Manorama Resident Editor K Aboobecker was also felicitated at the event. After the official ceremony, a grand feast was served to hundreds who attended the ceremony. The feast was followed by musical programmes, Aksharaslokam and spiritual talks.