Brief history of MAS
Most of the Malayalees who arrived in Jizan region in the late seventies and early eighties were employees of electrical and construction companies or Saudi Ministry of health and other unskilled labours. Malayalees participated in the family get-togethers, farewells and other charitable activities organized by Indian communities. In early nineties, developments of Jizan region and new employment opportunities resulted in an increase of Malayalees in the region. With out any formal association a small group of Malayalees organized Onam celebrations at Jizan regularly in the past years. Participation in these Onam celebrations developed the fraternity among the Malayalees. It was the great ambition of Keralites in Jizan to have an organization with the objective to preserve and maintain Kerala cultural identity.
With the above intention, Mr. Thaha Kolleth, Mr.Shakheel.P.AbdulAzeez, Mr. George Edathua,
Mr. V.A.Anwar, Mr.Shihab.K. Vilayil , Mr.Abdul Salim, Mr. M.Shaji, Mr. Sainudeen Kochi and Mr. S.Hari Krishnan contacted the interested Keralites in Jizan region and were able to conduct the first planning meeting on Friday, August 8th 2003 at Jizan. Formation of an Organization was discussed in this meeting presided by Mr.Shakheel.P.Abdul Azeez.
The name of the organization suggested as “Malayalam Arts Society (MAS)”.
by Mr. M.Thaha. A steering committee consisting of the following persons were selected.
Mr.Dinesan Konniyoor ( President), Mr. Shakheel.P.Abdul Azeez , Mr.S.Hari Krishnan ( Vice Presidents) Mr.George Edathua (General Secretary) Mr.V.A.Anwar (Associate Secretary) Mr.Thaha Kolleth (Treasurer)
Later a committee also formed to draft constitution and by-law for MAS with following persons. Mr.M.Thaha ( Chairman), Mr.Dinesan Konniyoor, Mr.Shihab Vilayil, Hari Krishnan, and Mr.Abdul Saleem.
MAS constitution was finalized and approved on August 22nd, 2003. With the approval of constitution and by-law, the same steering committee was elected to the first respective offices.
Onam were celebrated on September 11th 2003 with Ona sadya and musical programme and it was a great success. A quality Onam entertainment programme awaited the participants after the Ona sadya. The list included Onam songs, film songs presented by MAS members. Hundreds of Malayalees participated in each function. MAS have organized other cultural programmes in Jizan like poetry reading, discussions in various subjects, remembrance of late literary figures etc.
We have launched a new web site on January 2004 for giving sufficient information about MAS activities and programmes. Address of our web site is http:// www.masjizan.itgo.com
MAS has organized a literary competition on March 2004 for Gulf Malayalees residing in Oman,UAE,Qatar,Bahrain,Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. This competition included Short story, Poem and Essay writing (Subject Gulf Malayalee and social life in Kerala). We got a good response from Keralites residing in various Gulf countries. Literary competition results published on 31st July,2004. Mr.P.J.J.Antony`s (Jubail,Saudi Arabia) story `Charithrathinte Anthyapralobhanam’ won cash award for best story. Mr.Njeem Kochukalunku`s (Riyadh) poem `charithram’ won cash award for best poem. Cash award for best essay got Mr.Indiannur Ahamed kutty(Kuwait).We awarded 6000 Rupees cash awards and letter of appreciation to winners. The judging committee including critics and famous writers (Mr.Sivaraman Cheriyanadu, President,Sahithya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sagam,Kottayam Mr.Erumeli Parameswaran Pillai, former Secretary to Kerala Sahithya Adademi and Elippakulam Raveedran, famous short story writer.) from Kerala were selected the winners.
We have published a pamphlet in Malayalam and English including the details of consular visits of Indian Consulate, Jeddah in Jizan region during 2004 and all the required information regarding Consular services. We have opened a counter for giving assistance to Consulate services.
We were celebrated Onam-2004 on 24th September 2004 with various arts and cultural programmes. Hundreds of peoples participated in the Ona sadya and programmes. The programme includes Ganamela by MAS music troupe, Mimics by Sarang mimics troop from Khamis Mushiyath and dances. We also organized a painting competition and exhibition for children. We have organized remembrance programme for famous writer Shri.V.KN (6/2/2004) and for former chief minister EK.Nayanar (28/5/2005) and for eminent writer Ponkunnam Varkey(16/7/2004)We have organized a discussion on `Gulf money and Kerala's development’ on 18th June, 2004. We were celebrated Eid-2005 on 24 August 2005 at Jizan with various programmes. MAS literary discution conducted on December 3, 2005 was a great success.
MAS got registration under Non-resident Keralite Affairs Department (NORKA) Government of Kerala during 2006. MAS is the only registered organization under NORKA-ROOTS in Jizan region (Reg. No.KSA/06/106)
MAS organized a musical troupe "MAS VOICE" on 15 January 2006 with interested talents from various places of Jizan region. Several music programmes conducted by MAS Voice during 2006-2007.
MAS have engaged in several charitable programmes. MAS given financial aid for sending dead body of Mr.Suresh Kumar (Prem Nivas,Thrikkalankode, Majeri) died at jizan and paid family relief fund 30000 Rupees to his family.
Our Eid meet and musical programmes on 10th December 2007 at Samtah was a great success. MAS have planned to publish an impressive souvenir and a Jizan Malayalee directory in 2009.
The members of the MAS are proud of the achievements and progress during this short period. We are confident in conducting more arts, cultural, literary and social activities in future.