Since its inception in 1978, the Geethamandalam has played a key role in preserving our culture, religion, and tradition in the Chicagoland Malayalee community. However, it has played a larger role in uniting us as a family. It is about the person who offered help when you needed a ride to a doctor’s office. This kinship is about the buddy you grew up with, a brother or sister you never had. This organization is about the only Aunty or Uncle your little one has seen. This community is about those special occasions when we shared a prayer, a meal, or a little laughter together. This is about that bond that makes you teary-eyed when you find out someone you know for many years is not keeping good health. The Geethamandalam is all of the above, and much more to us.

On his visit to England and Europe, Mahatma Gandhiji once said, and I am paraphrasing here, “…human nature is much the same, no matter under what climate it flourishes, and that if you approached people with trust and affection you would have ten-fold trust and thousand-fold affection returned to you.” Geethamandalam was built upon a foundation of trust and affection for it to have thrived these many years.

Now, more than ever, Geethamandalam needs your support and participation. Please join us at 6:00 PM last Saturday of each month at Dee Park, Des Plaines for our monthly prayer meeting.

Please support your Geethamandalam.