The Tsunamika 5th birthday celebrations on Sunday 7th February were a joyous affair, full of children’s laughter and fun packed events.
We started our celebration at nine-thirty with the arrival of the women from the villages. One of the fisherwomen leaders made a speech, and then Professor Irena Atelievic spoke about the uniqueness of Tsunamika. Tsunamika was born from the mother company, Upasana and she went on to help brother and sister projects like Small Steps, Varanasi, Tranquebar and Kapas, reaching out around the world with her message of love and hope, and above all human unity Irena used the example of the metamorphosis of a butterfly from its cocoon.

‘THERE IS A POWER WITHIN US THAT CAN TRANSFORM THE HORRORS OF LIFE, A POWER THAT COMES FORWARD WHEN WE FOLLOW THE CALL OF OUR HEARTS.

LIFE IS SACRED. TRANSFORM DESTRUCTION AND DEATH.’

Many programs took place onstage, like the little Tsunamika angels from around the world representing human unity, emerging from a giant Tsunamika and giving the women hope and love in the form of flowers and balloons

Main activities:

• Paint your own Tsunamika – a large canvas was placed against a wall upon which one could paint Tsunamikas as one wished making a smorgasbord of Tsunamikas in various designs.
• Tsunamika play – the women made a very witty and lively play using Tsunamika dolls as puppets, depicting a typical day in the life of Tsunamika!
• The Upasana family play – this play demonstrated the role Auroville and Upasana have played in nurturing the Tsunamika project. The Upasana family members wore long white robes with red masks symbolising Upasana, while children dressed as all our projects danced around a central Tsunamika chanting a rhyme.
• Exhibition of village scenes in a Tsunamika theme – Beautiful miniature Tsunamikas were depicted in various daily village scenarios.
• Raffle draw – where the winners were announced.
• Lunch – a yummy buffet full of old favourites like vada’s and papads, sugar and spice and all things nice!
• Bharat natayam – a scintillating performance by the village girls ensured that the mood of the event was always upbeat.
• Tribute to ambassadors and village leaders –The ambassadors who took Tsunamika all over the world and the fisherwomen leaders who managed the Tsunamika project in the villages are instrumental in keeping the Tsunamika project alive. 

“HER MESSAGE GOES BEYOND THE TSUNAMI. SHE IS HOPE, SHE IS RESILIENCE AND SHE IS CREATIVE TRANSFORMATION. IN THE DEPTHS OF THE HEART DWELLS A HEALING PRESENCE AS SMALL AS A THUMB – TSUNAMIKA. SHE IS A VIBRANT MESSAGE, A MESSAGE OF A NEW WAY OF LIVING IN WHICH LIFE IS RESPECTED. A MESSAGE OF THE ONENESS OF LIFE IN WHICH LOVE HAS A PLACE. A MESSAGE OF THE SACREDNESS OF LIFE IN WHICH WE CAN CELEBRATE TOGETHER.” 

Quotes:

Nadine Barabas –“It was a very powerful event because you could see all the happy village people exchanging their experiences and it was a very entertaining afternoon full of activities, a great honour for Tsunamika’s fifth birthday.”

Inge: “It was beautiful.”

Pepi: “It was an emotionally charged event. Who makes an event of love and hope in today’s world? This event was inspirational on many levels.”