Sharjah

The Chiranthana Mohammed Rafi Award, jointly instituted by Chiranthana and Darshana in memory of the legendary singer Mohammed Rafi, was presented to social and cultural activist Nawaz Thekkada and writer-journalist Sreejish Sarada Sreekantan Nair, according to a press release jointly issued by Chiranthana President Punnakkan Muhammed Ali and Darshana President C. P. Jalil.

A native of Thiruvananthapuram, Nawaz Thekkada has been an active presence in Sharjah’s social, cultural, political and humanitarian spheres for the past three decades. He serves as the General Secretary of the INCAS Sharjah State Committee, is one of the founders and Chief Patron of the Ananthapuri Pravasi Koottayma, and is also the Patron of the Venjaramoodu Pravasi Organization. In addition, he serves as the Treasurer of Ashaya Theeram, a humanitarian organisation in the UAE, and is a member of the Indian Association Sharjah. Nawaz received recognition from the Sharjah Police for his exemplary humanitarian services during the COVID-19 pandemic and is widely appreciated for extending a helping hand to people in distress.

Writer, artist and journalist Sreejish Sarada Sreekantan Nair, a native of Kilithattumukku, Chempoor, Attingal in Thiruvananthapuram district, has been serving with Asiavision, the parent organisation of Dubai Vartha, since 2014. His debut book, “Aksharakkadalile Veliyettam” (The High Tide in the Sea of Letters), was released at the Sharjah International Book Fair last year. Published by Lipi Publications, the book comprehensively documents the history and growth of the Sharjah International Book Fair. He was selected for the award in recognition of his contributions to literature and culture, as well as his notable work in journalism.

The awards were presented during a ceremony held on Friday, 31 July, marking the 46th death anniversary of the legendary singer Mohammed Rafi, at the Sharjah Indian Association Hall.

The organisers also announced that, as part of this year’s programme by Chiranthana–Darshana, which has been organising Mohammed Rafi remembrance programmes and musical evenings continuously in the UAE for the past 25 years, singers from various Emirates came together for a special musical tribute to Mohammed Rafi and the beloved Malayalam playback singer S. Janaki.