Media Release
Mangaluru, Sep 11: Festivals are the true essence of our tradition, reflecting joy, gratitude and devotion. Embracing this spirit, St Aloysius PU College organized AIKYAM 2026 - a convergence of festivals, where different faiths came together to celebrate oneness and harmony.
The college resonated with joy and harmony during the spectacular showcase of AIKYAM which is a vibrant triple celebration of the feast of Nativity of Mother Mary, Ganesh Chaturthi and Onam. Jointly organized by the Centre for Inter-Religious Harmony, Konkani Association and Malayalam Association, the event was a beautiful display of cultural diversity and the unifying spirit of the Aloysian family.
The programme commenced with a vibrant Chende performance. This was followed by a prayer and a welcome address by Rachael. The ceremonial lamp was lit by the dignitaries Fr Clifford Sequeira SJ, campus minister Fr Antony Derrick SJ, finance officer Fr Balraju R SJ, vice principal Muralikrishna GM, deans Kiran Shetty and Inas Dias along with the conveners of AIKYAM.
Addressing students during a festival celebration at the college, Fr Clifford described India's diversity of languages, cultures, religions, traditions, dress, cuisine and festivals as a distinctive strength. He said the St Aloysius campus reflected this diversity, with students from different social, cultural and religious backgrounds coming together as one community. "Festivals are not merely occasions to celebrate traditions; they are occasions to celebrate our togetherness, the bond we share and the friendships we cherish," he said. Drawing an analogy with an assortment of sweets, Fr Clifford said variety added richness and excitement to life. Just as a box containing different sweets offered a greater experience than one containing only a single variety, diversity among people and cultures enriched society. "Migration is not only about moving from one place to another. We also need to migrate in our minds-to transcend limitations, broaden our horizons and create space in our hearts and minds for people of other religious and cultural traditions," he said. Stressing the essence of different festivals was rooted in common human values such as goodness, truth, love, friendship, unity, peace and harmony. Appreciating these shared values, he said, could strengthen bonds among people and contribute to a more humane society.
The feast of Nativity of Mother Mary was brought to life through a graceful skit blended with dance and drama. Depicting the harvest of new crops as a symbol of new beginnings, gratitude and sacrifice, the performance beautifully reflected the love, compassion, divine presence of Mother Mary and the essence of familial love and togetherness.
The divine tale of Ganesh Chaturthi was depicted through a captivating dance-drama depicting the birth of Lord Ganesha, his encounter with Lord Shiva, and his divine rebirth.
The campus then resonated with the spirit of Onam, featuring the rhythmic Chende beats, the ceremonial arrival of King Maveli, and the enchanting Thiruvathira dance and the Vallam performance, where students formed a human boat to recreate the rhythm and vigour of the traditional boat race which enthralled the audience.
The main attraction of the event was the vibrant Pili Vaibhava, where students dressed as tigers and captivated the audience with an energetic tiger dance performance with electrifying rhythm and grace.
This event was a grand celebration of India's rich cultural diversity, showcasing how different faiths and traditions harmoniously co-exist. Through graceful dances, soulful dramas and the energetic Pili Vaibhava, the college celebrated the timeless values of love, peace, harmony and unity.
The programme was compered by Racheal P Babu, Riya Boben, Saanvi Rao and Josna, and concluded with a vote of thanks by Saanvi Rao.