Vellappally Natesan turns 90 today; grand preparations ongoing in Kanichukulangara

ALAPPUZHA: SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan is marking his 90th birthday today. Natesan was born on September 10, 1937, as the seventh son of Kanichukulangara Vellappally Kesavan Muthalali and Devaki Amma. Although his actual date of birth is today, the 90th birthday celebrations will take place at his Kanichukulangara residence on the 16th, coinciding with the Visakham star in the Malayalam month of Chingam.

Starting Saturday, a five-day *puja* (ritual ceremony) will be conducted in a specially prepared *homakundam* (sacrificial fire pit) in the courtyard, led by priests from the Alappuzha Thirumala Temple. A cake-cutting ceremony is scheduled for the morning of the 16th.

While no specific invitations have been sent out for the event, numerous figures from the state's political, communal, and cultural spheres are expected to arrive to offer their greetings. A traditional feast (*sadya*) for 500 people is being prepared. This is his first birthday since receiving the Padma Bhushan award. Vellappally Natesan, who has completed three decades of leadership at the SNDP Yogam and SN Trust, has also been serving as the president of the Kanichukulangara Devi Temple for 62 years.