Sri Meenakshi Temple Participates in City of Pearland Parks and Recreation Event

Sri Meenakshi Temple Society booth was popular among all ages

Sri Meenakshi Temple Society booth was popular among all ages

PEARLAND: The week leading up to Friday was rainy and wet which threatened to keep away audience for the last of the Friday Summer fest concert hosted by City of Pearland Parks and Recreation; fortunately fair weather was on us as evening dawned and the crowd gathered to relax and enjoy the Music.  Sri Meenakshi Temple Society (MTS) had a display booth – the first for MTS, thanks to the organizing skills of the MTS executive officer, Vatsa Kumar, MTS was ready with the tent, table, molds, cement and all the required small tools; Vatsa Kumar was also kind enough to bring and drop off the MTS banner as we forgot to take this with us.  The booth was setup skillfully by MTS employees, Manikandan and Ramanathan in very quick time as they began their craft with preparing molds of decorated elephant, beautiful swan, dancers, yali and small flowers.

Pearland city Parkas and recreation booth was frequented by attendees here showing MTS volunteer Mythri Ravoori at the desk

Pearland city Parkas and recreation booth was frequented by attendees here showing MTS volunteer Mythri Ravoori at the desk

 Although the booth started initially with only the odd curious onlooker peering over the artisan’s craft, around dusk as the City of Pearland Parks and Recreation Manager Carey capers announced the booth sponsors, and invited two of the  MTS volunteers on stage (Murali and Prasad)  to display the product from the mold work crafted.  There was no turning back after that as young and old came to the MTS stand and were engaged and mesmerized by the handy work of art.  Manikandan and Ramanathan did MTS proud as they tirelessly worked making molds, stopping occasionally to explain to the onlookers and giving away memorabilia’s of the molded products.  We had one of youngest volunteers, Mythri Ravoori (our Jnt. Secretary’s daughter) mixing with the kids in the ticket booth handing door prize tickets and answering questions.  We also had Ramsunder (our web and communication director) lending a hand at the MTS booth and snapping some of the photos for us.  MTS’s joint Secretary Murali Ravoori explained the artwork and helped ensure the molded pieces were handed out in a fair manner to all the eager visitors who had lined up to get a piece of the action.

On stage acknowledging sponsors is Carey Capers of City of Pearland Resource development Manager highlighting MTS participation with Murali and Prasad showing the display molds form MTS booth

On stage acknowledging sponsors is Carey Capers of City of Pearland Resource development Manager highlighting MTS participation with Murali and Prasad showing the display molds form MTS booth

 Both Pat Wiley (volunteer coordinator) and Carey Capers (P & R Manager) thanked MTS copiously and asked us to keep coming.  The best welcome also was offered by one of the security officers who wanted to make a note on his calendar to make sure he does not miss the next time MTS setup a booth at the City of Pearland.  At the end of the day as we pulled the tent down and headed back to the MTS we were all happy to have been part of this event, contributing to opening the doors to the culture and showing our skills, as well as to do our small part in bringing joy to the spectators through the artwork handouts. We had set on the quest to ‘demystify’ the Hindu Temple, but can picture soon MTS becoming a regular fixture with the Pearland events, a city we call home to our Temple.