JEDDAH, 13 January 2007 — Soorya Krishnamoorthy, founder of Soorya Stage and Film Society, one of the biggest cultural societies in Asia, has highlighted his organization’s efforts to promote cultural exchange. “Our aim is not to impose our Indian culture on anybody but to promote it through various cultural activities,” he said.

Krishnamoorthy, who is known as India’s cultural ambassador, was speaking at the opening of Soorya-Sargam’s Jeddah chapter recently. “We should also learn from other cultures while interacting with different nations,” he told a gathering of more than 1,200 Keralites that included executives and academics.

“Art is not the true culture. The true culture is your care and concern for others. A person who shares sorrows of others and wipes their tears can be called a cultured person,” said Krishnamoorthy giving his definition of culture. “We should respect the laws, culture and traditions of the host country.”

Soorya, which has 22 chapters worldwide, aims to promote the rich Indian culture and achieve “Integration through Culture.” Soorya is now in the 30th year of its dedicated service promoting art and culture. It has branches in Singapore, Malaysia, Britain, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Germany, Ireland, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the UAE.

In his 90-minute speech, Krishnamoorthy lamented the cultural and moral decline in his home state Kerala. “Our people spent 230 million rupees ($5.2 million) on liquor in a single day, to celebrate the New Year,” he said while referring to Western influence on Indian culture.

The Soorya chief said artists should work against injustice and corruption. “If their efforts create any good impact, even if it’s small, it will be a big service to society. Moreover, they will get satisfaction by doing something good for the society,” he added. He emphasized the role of mothers in nurturing artists and producing cultured persons. “The lullaby of a mother is the best music a person can listen to in his life. It makes him/her sleep peacefully.”

Amidst the applause of audience, Krishnamoorthy announced that Soorya programs would be held in Jeddah every year.

Rafeek Younus, president of Soorya-Sargam and Orion Sargam, spoke about the objectives of Sargam in his presidential address. Orion Sargam was formed in 2005 in Alkhobar by 25 members of the Sargam Cultural Association, a multidimensional, nonprofit organization with a view to introducing Indian culture and art forms to the people of Saudi Arabia as well as the younger generation of Indians living in the Kingdom.

Krishnamoorthy honored the Sargam Cultural Association by declaring it as the Saudi Arabian Chapter of Soorya.

“We have been organizing Soorya festivals in Saudi Arabia for the past three years. We were successful in bringing to the Kingdom personalities like O.N.V. Kurup, M.T. Vasudevan Nair, Sri Kumaran Thambi. M. K. Arjunan, Kavalam Sri Kumar, M. Jayachandran and film star Vineet,” Younus added.

Classical and semi-classical dances and songs by budding talents of Sargam and hits by M.D. Somasekhar, a well-known singer and music teacher in the Eastern Province, added color to the Soorya launch.

After praising Pushpa Suresh for her remarkable role in teaching dance (she was unable to attend the function because of other commitments) Krishnamoorthy honored Sudha Raju, Suchitra Ravikrishnan (dance), Meera Nandan and M.G. Krishnan (music) by awarding shawls and mementos for their roles in teaching and popularizing Indian heritage and art forms in Jeddah.

M. Sreejith Kumar, vice president of Soorya-Sargam welcomed the guests and P. Prasannakumar, general convener of Sargam-Jeddah, gave a vote of thanks.