The M.F. Hussain Painting Competition organizers distributed prizes to winners at a cultural function held on June 14 at the auditorium of Shifa Jeddah Polyclinic. The program was organized by Chennamangaloor Islahiya College Alumni Jeddah Chapter. The competition broadly classified into four segments i.e. ‘kids,' ‘sub-junior,' ‘junior' and ‘senior' comprised of students from LKG to Class X from various international schools. The competition was held at Buds & Blossom International School in May. The first prize winners who were given gold coins were Ajmal Mohammed, Hana Fathima, Suraiya Abu Kunnathadathil and Jithin Suresh. The winners of second and third place were given trophies and certificates. The event was officiated by P.A. Abdul Rahman, Medical Director of Shifa Jeddah Polyclinic. Addressing the audience, he spoke elaborately about M.F. Hussain and his paintings. He also emphasised the importance of conducting such functions to bring out the hidden talents and creativity of children. The gathering was graced and felicitated by Abdul Shukoor Ali (Thanima), PT Mohammed (Jeddah Keralites Forum), KM Shareef Kunchu (OICC), VM Ibrahim (Gulf Madhyamam) VK Rauf (Navodaya), PP Raheem and PM Mayin Kutty (Malayalam News). Jeddah's well known singers Mashood Thangal, Mirza Shereef, Abdul Kareem and Mansoor Edavanna enthralled the audience with popular ghazals of ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan who passed away recently. The audience were mesmerized by the renditions of Thangal who replicated the ghazals of Mehdi in his tenor voice. Alumni Jeddah Chapter President Ibrahim Shamnad presided over the function. KA Arif welcomed the audience and VK Shameem proposed the vote of thanks. — SG
