( This brief synopsis of the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam illustrious history has been gleaned from whatever information available and gathered from senior members of Samajam. Any omissions or factual errors are purely unintentional)

The Keralites are renowned for their unparalleled passion for travel seeking greener pastures to chart unknown shores.

Bahrain used to be British Colony like India. Recorded history shows that the Malayalis reached the shores of “Dilmun” or Bahrain in the early 20th century as sailors and other military personnel serving the British forces.

On 17th April 1947, the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam took birth with just nine members on roll . M.S.D.Menon, V.M.Menon & P.M.Varki were founding fathers of Samajam.

During the year 1947 Malayalis serving in Bapco and the Military staged a first ever- cultural program, a Malayalam Drama “Vikatayogi” .One of the pioneers of this historical event was Mr. M.N.Bahuleyan, a resident of Thiruvanathapuram .Later Mr.Bahuleyan & Mr. K.R. Marar established a humble reading room for Malayalis. The books were donated from the private collection of Mr. Bahuleyan . Thus the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam was conceived. A periodical named “Bashanjali” was published this year.

In 1960, Samajam rented a flat in Manama and programs were conducted on the terrace of the building. The permission to conduct lounge activities was received in 1966.

Bahrain got independence in August 1971. The ensuing brisk pace of development of the country needed Indian skills. So more and more Keralites arrived in Bahrain. The strength of Samajam members also increased accordingly. Indoor games were introduced for the first time this year.

This Government of Bahrain recognized the Samajam as a socio-cultural association in 1976.Malayalam classes, drama and children’s competitions were introduced this year.

This increasing strength of members demanded more cultural programs and subsequently more space. In 1979 an auditorium of 300 capacity was possible by joining the adjacent terraces of two buildings. The inaugural function of this day was made memorable by an astounding replication of Trissur Puram. A souvenir was published for the first time, which was named “Smaranika”.

The 40th birthday of Samajam was celebrated in style with a plethora of luminaries and stars from back home. Sri. Kadamminatta Ramakrishnan attended the celebrations.
Mr. D.Rajendran and Mr.Indran Thayyil were the President and General Secretary respectively.

In 1986 Samajam shifted to the present premises. Shri.Philip M. Koshy and Sri.Ramachandran Nair were the President and General Secretary respectively when we occupied the present premises.

In 1991, Samajam was re-registered under the registration No.718/N/T.AJ.R..& revised Constitution and internal regulations were adopted During the last decade, the Samajam grew from strength to strength and in 1994 the extension of the new lobby and other areas were completed.

For the first time charity fund was initiated in 1995,by the managing committee, to help needy Indians in general and Keralites in particular.

The 50thanniversary of Samajam was celebrated with great grandeur and style Renowned actor Murali and well known Malayalam critic Sri.M.Krishnan Nair visited our Samajam. A grand 2days fair with raffle was conducted to celebrate the 50th anniversary.

The advent of new millennium brought sea changes in the cultural scenario of the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam. In the year 2000 many new programme like“ Keralotsavam”, “Bahratotsavam”, “ Vidyarambham”, “Iftar party” etc were introduced. The programme were family centric, and more families started patronizing the Samajam in subsequent years. The goodwill enjoyed by Samajam in Bahrain improved considerably. The monthly news bulletin was renamed “Jalakam” and in addition to happenings and events, the magazine started publishing articles and literary creations in Malayalam. A “Sahithya Puraskaram” to honor an eminent Malayalam literary figure was also constituted in the year 2000, this has now become an annual event in Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam calendar .

The year 2001 saw a surge in applications for new memberships and subsequent search for a more spacious and safer premises. An Extra Ordinary General Meeting was conducted and a “new premises feasibility study committee” was formed.

The Ministry of Labour of Social Affairs honoured the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam by Presenting us with an award for outstanding social and charitable activities at a function held on 20th January 2004.


We are grateful to all members for their understanding and unstinting co-operation in all our humble endeavors