Love, music and gulab jamun

It’s Valentine’ Day Indian style! TIM BLIGHT reports

Valentine’s Day was celebrated early in Melbourne on February 12, when the Sangam Community Association (SCA) held its annual Valentine’s dinner. The event was an inclusive event aimed at families, couples and the wider community. Held at Café Saffron in the outer northern suburb of South Morang, the dinner was attended by several key community figures such as Mr Thomas Joseph, Vice President of the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria (FIAV); Mrs Krishna Arora, Deputy Director of FIAV; and local Member of Parliament, Lily D’Ambrosio.

The evening was organised by the Sangam Community Association and featured a three-course meal, live entertainment and activities for children. Café Saffron served their delicious food while children had their faces painted and singer Suleman performed Indian hits. Later that evening the dance floor came alive with DJ Anya pumping out chart-toppers. The evening however, belonged to the couples, some of whom threw themselves into the ‘best dressed couple’ contest. Certificates were awarded to Indian Link and to Ms. D’Ambrosio for their attendance and support of the function. Ms D’Ambrosio thanked the guests for their ongoing support and contribution to what she called a harmonious multicultural community.

Sangam Community Association is a not-for-profit organisation which aims to promote Indian heritage, culture and tradition among the Australian Indian community. Vice President Mr Ramki Mahadevan said that in organising events such as the Valentine’s Day dinner, Sangam aimed to promote alternative festivals and functions for the Indian community. “Why not Valentine’s Day?” he quipped, “We have so many events for Holi and Diwali – rightly so – but this is yet another opportunity for people to get together!” Mr Gurpreet Singh Tuteja, President of Sangam Community Association, was visibly pleased as the night went off without a hitch. Dispensing advice, he quoted that “Love is not just looking at each other, it’s looking in the same direction.”

Valentine’s Day as we now know it was originally a memorial for the day when the Christian Saint Valentine was martyred by the Roman empire in the year 269.  Centuries later, in fourteenth century England, the link with romance was made in a poem commemorating the English King Richard’s first wedding anniversary. Although initially viewed as a foreign concept amongst Indian communities, Valentine’s Day has grown in popularity in recent years with greater awareness leading to the signature roses and balloons exchanged between couples.

Sunny and Shenu Sawny typically held low-key celebrations: “Maybe a nice dinner or a drive somewhere,” said Sunny. Asked if they would consider going to the Valentine’s dinner again next year, the couple replied “Absolutely!” in unison. Similarly, Deepty and Mannu heard about the dinner from a cousin, and while Deepty said they usually did not make a big deal of Valentine’s Day, they were glad they had gone along to the dinner. Relatives Shaveta and Vicky were equally enthusiastic about the evening; “Valentine’s Day is getting bigger in India,” smiled Shaveta. “We’ll definitely be doing something next year for it.”