SMCA Club Activities

In India, Independence Day is celebrated by the people of all religions, cultures and traditions with great joy and happiness. Independence Day in India is observed on 15th of August every year from 1947 as our country became independent on the same day from the power of British rule almost after 200 years of slavery.

We, South Madras Cultural Association (SMCA), Chennai members celebrate this day through various cultural and social activities such as dancing, drama, audio drama, singing, awards distribution etc. From our SMCA Charitable Trust we do distribute cloths and vouchers to the poor and needy people First of all the National flag is unfurled by the chief guest or our club president, National Anthem is sung by all participating members. We end the day with a special dinner arranged for the members and their guests.

Mahalaya is an auspicious occasion observed seven days before the Durga Puja, and it heralds the advent of Durga, the goddess of supreme power. It's a kind of invocation or invitation to the mother goddess to descend onto earth, "Jago Tumi Jago." This is done through the chanting of mantras and singing devotional songs. Mahalaya has come to associate itself with an early morning radio program called “Mahisasura Mardini” or “The Annihilation of the Demon.” This All India Radio (AIR) program is a beautiful audio montage of recitation from the scriptural verses of “Chandi Kavya,” Bengali devotional songs, classical music and a dash of acoustic melodrama.

We, South Madras Cultural Association (SMCA), Chennai members celebrate this end of Pitri Paksha and beginning of Devi Paksha through various cultural programs like audio drama, singing, dance drama etc.

The greatest festival of the Bengali community, Durga Puja ranks among the popular festivals in India. It is widely celebrated in West Bengal and other parts of India. It is a six day festival and is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. Immense fanfare and celebration takes place during the Durga Puja celebrations. The festival consists of Panchami, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, and Maha Nabami. The last day of the festival is Bijoya Dashami when the immersion of the Durga idol takes place. On the day of Bijoya Dashami, people meet each other and exchange greetings and young people pay their respects to the elders. Huge celebrations and fanfare take place all over West Bengal and other parts of the country. People of all age groups wear new clothes and go for pandal hopping. The pandals are designed and decorated according to various themes and cultures. Durga Puja is a fine example of the rich culture, heritage and liveliness of the state.

We SMCA family come together to celebrate this greatest festival through Puja and various cultural programs. We SMCA family members, give donation and collect donations during this time for making this event successful, everyone takes part of different cultural programs. From SMCA Charitable Trust we distribute food to all people who visits us and all needy people from nearby area.

Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and lord Vishnu's wife, visits her devotees and bestows gifts and blessings upon each of them. To welcome the Goddess, devotees clean their houses, decorate them with finery and lights, and prepare sweet treats and delicacies as offerings. Devotees believe the happier Lakshmi is with the visit, the more she blesses the family with health and wealth.

We, South Madras Cultural Association (SMCA), Chennai members celebrate this day by offering Puja and followed by dinner for members and their guests.

Kali Puja, also known as Shyama Puja is a festival, originating from the Indian subcontinent, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali, celebrated on the new moon day of the Hindu month Kartik especially in the regions of Bengal, Chittagong, Sylhet, Rangpur, Bihar, Mithila, Odisha, Assam, and the town of Titwala in Maharashtra. It coincides with the Lakshmi Puja day of Diwali. While the Bengalis, Chittagonians, Sylhetis, Rangpuris, Odias, Assamese and Maithils worship the goddess Kali on this day, the rest of India worships goddess Lakshmi on Diwali.

We, South Madras Cultural Association (SMCA), Chennai members celebrate both Diwali and Sri Sri Kali puja together by offering Puja, bursting firecrackers, lighting diyas or lamps and other cultural programs. Puja prasadam and foods are arranged for the members and their guests.

Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, art, wisdom, and learning. She is a part of the trinity (Tridevi) of Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati. All the three forms help the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva to create, maintain, and regenerate the Universe, respectively.The earliest known mention of Saraswati as a goddess is in the Rigveda. She has remained significant as a goddess from the Vedic period through modern times of Hindu traditions.

We, South Madras Cultural Association (SMCA), Chennai members celebrate this day by offering Puja, various sports and cultural programs and followed by lunch for members and their guests.

Traditionally we take time off from our regular schedule and go for picnic in the month of January. After a little gap after Diwali/Kali Puja and Bijoya Sammileni, we all come together to celebrate a day out with various outdoor events, foods and snacks.

An ancient Hindu festival, which later became popular among non-Hindu communities as well, Holi heralds the arrival of spring after winter. It signifies the victory of good over evil and is celebrated as a day of spreading happiness and love. The festival is also celebrated as thanksgiving for good harvest.

We, South Madras Cultural Association (SMCA), Chennai members celebrate this festival of colour with colour and food.

An ancient Hindu festival, which later became popular among non-Hindu communities as well, Holi heralds the arrival of spring after winter. It signifies the victory of good over evil and is celebrated as a day of spreading happiness and love. The festival is also celebrated as thanksgiving for good harvest.

We, South Madras Cultural Association (SMCA), Chennai members celebrate this festival of colour with colour and food.

This is the final member only event of the calendar, where we look back and analyze what we have done, what went well and what could be improved over time on cultural and charitable activities. Accounts for both SMCA and SMCA Charitable trust. New board members are elected during this event for next financial year of SMCA.

This meeting ends with greeting new board members followed by dinner.