The Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of Saastha Samooham one of the largest socio-religious organization in Kolkata began with a Carnatic Music Concert of S Mahadevan from Thiruvananthapuram. Mahadevan is a disciple of veteran musician Padmashri Parassala B Ponnammal.

A full crowded audience was present at Sree Thyagaraja auditorium for Mahadevan’s concert.

Mahadevan began with a Varnam, followed by Vathapi Ganapathim in Hamsadhwani.

Thyagaraja krithis Kotinadulu Dhanushkoti in Thodi and Sukhi Evvaro in Kanada was the sub-main and main krithis.

Mahadevan concluded with Appane Ayyappane in Nadanamakriya and the most popular Harivarasanam.

The accompanists were Trivandrum N Sampath on the violin, Anchal Krishna Iyer on the Mridangam and Trivandrum Rajesh on the Ghatam respectively

The Saastha Samooham is the largest socio-religious organization in Kolkata with a member strength of  over a thousand. The main object of the Samooham is the worship of Lord Dharma Saastha (Ayyappa), the presiding deity of Sabari Hills, Kerala. The annual Mandalam celebrations, starting from the middle of November to end December (beginning of Vrishchikam to middle of Dhanu) every year constitutes the festival season when the Samooham provides the perfect ambience  for the many Sabarimala pilgrims for their ritualistic worship of Lord Dharmasaastha. The Saasthapreethi (propitiating the Lord),which is being organized for the last more than five decades has been drawing on an average 3-4 thousand devotees every year. As part of the celebrations, annadaanam to devotees, poor feeding and various cultural programs are organized.

Besides the religious aspects, the Samooham is also involved in various charitable activities. It has been offering tuition fee scholarships to about 25 meritorious but economically less privileged students irrespective of caste or creed, of various schools for more than 20 years. This scheme has enabled the pursuit of education to more than 400 students in this period. To appreciate and encourage talent, the Samooham also gives cash award to the three Madhyamik toppers from National High Schools Boys & Girls) and Andhra Association School. In deference to a directive from the General Body of Members, the Samooham funded the full educational needs of a student, Dheeraj Kumar Singh from Andhra Association School, from Class 2 onwards due to his penury. After finishing the Higher Secondary course in Kolkata, Dheeraj completed his B.Sc and M.Sc from Sri Sathya Sai University, Puttaparthi and is now pursuing a Ph.D. program in Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research in Bengaluru.

The Samooham conducts regular poor feeding including to the inmates of Mother Theresa’s homes and also offers limited financial support in special cases for marriages, medical treatment, for performing obsequies etc.

The many-splendered activities of the Samooham has drawn strength from the appreciation, encouragement and generous financial support it has received from its large body of devotees and other well-wishers. This has also enabled the procurement of a flat nearby for the special use of the Samooham like housing a priest and his family, accommodating the many learned purohits who come during the Mandalam season to join the special rituals like kramaparayanam, Maharudram etc.