V.T.V DAMODARAN




V.T.V. Damodaran, a Socio-Cultural and Humanitarian Activist, hailing from Payyanur, Kerala, popularly, but dearly known as VTV amongst his circles is a graduate in Arts with additional qualifications in Management and English Journalism. He is the holder of "Golden Visa" bestowed by the Govt. of United Arab Emirates for his Specialized Talent as a Writer. Currently he is working as a Senior Consultant in one of the leading Chartered Accountant firms in Abu Dhabi.

V. T. V. DAMODARAN –
A BRIEF PROFILE

        Being a charitable individual, being a creative writer, being a performing artist, being a social organizer, being a committed professional etc. severally are common accomplishments; but being all these together is a unique achievement attainable only to the gifted. Known as “VTV” in his close circles, V. T. V. Damodaran is a rare mix of humanitarian, artistic, and democratic values. His contributions in making the United Arab Emirates a second, and perhaps sweeter, home for the Indian diasporic community there are inestimable. Above all, he has proved himself to be a champion of international diplomacy by being the kingpin in the UAE honouring Mahatma Gandhi, one of the most influential leaders of all times in the world, who won freedom for his mother land through a long-drawn, non-violent struggle.

        V. T. V. Damodaran is a socio-cultural and humanitarian activist, hailing from the southern state of Kerala, Republic of India. A graduate in Arts with additional qualifications in Personnel Management, he has been living in Abu Dhabi, UAE, for more than two and a half decades and is currently working as a Senior Consultant in PKF UAE, one of the leading Chartered Accountant firms in Abu Dhabi.  

An Organizer Par Excellence

       Organizing social, cultural, and charitable activities is the forte of VTV, as evident from the list given below:

❖ Being a keen follower of the values propagated by Mahatma Gandhi, he founded the organization called Gandhi Sahithya Vedi in Abu Dhabi to promote the Gandhian ideals among the younger generation. His long-cherished dream was realized, through his relentless efforts, on 1st February 2018 by erecting the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the entrance of the India Social & Cultural Center (ISC). It was for the first time a Gandhi statue was being installed in UAE. The statue was unveiled by H.E. the Indian Ambassador to the UAE. This achievement was greatly applauded by the entire community and the international media. Subsequently, he brought a Charka (spinning wheel), one of the important weapons of Indian freedom movement and economic self reliance, for display at the main entrance of the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi.

❖ As an ardent admirer of the value system practiced in the Arabian lives, he has been keenly promoting the Arab culture and the contributions of H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Father of the Nation and other UAE leaders among the Indian children of various schools with the co-operation of the Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi.

❖ He has been actively involved in various humanitarian activities in Abu Dhabi as well as in India to assist the less-privileged compatriots.
❖ He was in the forefront in helping the Indians during the amnesty declared by the Govt. of UAE.
❖ He could assist hundreds of poor people in raising finance for medical treatment in Abu Dhabi as well as in Kerala.
❖ He has been co-ordinating the repatriation of dead bodies to various countries. ❖ He has been instrumental in the construction of homes for many economically-deprived families in his home land.

His other significant social activities are channelized through the following roles:

⟐ Director of Malabar Rehabilitation Centre for the Handicapped, an Institution for mentally & physically challenged children, Payyanur, Kerala.
⟐ Active supporter of HOPE, Kerala, a shelter home for mentally & physically challenged, aged, and orphans.
⟐ Active supporter of Anjali Vidyaniketan, Kerala, a shelter home for mentally & physically challenged women.
⟐ Founder and President of Gandhi Sahithya Vedi , Abu Dhabi.
⟐ Founder member of Keltron Blood Donors Forum, Kerala.
⟐ Active member of India Social & Cultural Centre, Abu Dhabi.
⟐ Active member of Abu Dhabi Malayali Samajam , Abu Dhabi.
⟐ Active member of Kerala Social Centre, Abu Dhabi.
⟐ Well wisher and regular invitee of Indian Ismalic Centre, Abu Dhabi.
⟐ Co-ordinator of Endosulphan Victims’ Support Aid Group, Abu Dhabi.
⟐ Former Co-ordinator of “Gulfarangu”, a popular talk show on Asianet Television. 

A Champion of Indo-Arab Relations 
         As a true internationalist, VTV has taken various lead roles in different trans-cultural programmes, as follows:
❖ One of the main co-ordinators of the Indo-Arab Cultural Festival conducted by the Kerala Social Centre, Abu Dhabi in 2009.
❖ Organiser of the Indo-Arab Cultural Festival in Payyanur, India, during March 2016. One of the leading poets and media personalities, H.E. Khalid Al Dhanhani, Hon. President of the Fujairah Cultural Centre, was the chief guest.
❖ The only non Arab poet invited to the Mountain Cultural Festival organized under the auspices of H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, by the Fujairah Cultural Centre during January 2020.

A Creative Writer of Proven Caliber
        VTV is well known for his poetic creativity which has been appreciated many a time by the public as well as by the UAE government organizations. He has penned many significant poems, especially related to the UAE culture and its rulers like H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. All these poems were published in Malayalam and got translated into Arabic and published by the 999 Magazine of Abu Dhabi Police. Many of his poems were aired by various radio and TV channels repeatedly on public demand. He has presented poems to UAE leaders like H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, UAE, and many other dignitaries. VTV has also published a number of notable articles in leading Arab dailies, especially on national days of his host and home countries.

An Accomplished Folklorist & Performing Artist
         His contributions to the promotion of folklore and other cultural and artistic interventions have been much constructive, as listed below:
♦ Having been born as the son of (Late) K.U. Rama Poduval, one of the chief exponents of Payyanur Kolkkali (a 400 year old folk art form of North Kerala) and a Kerala Folklore Academy award winner, VTV learnt this performing art at the age of six from his father. Later, he became the first and the only non-resident Indian to receive the same award.
♦ Under his initiative and training, kolkkali was also performed in various parts of the Gulf countries.
♦ In order to preserve and popularize this precious art form, he has also produced a documentary viz., Kelipperuma, which one much appreciation.
♦ He wrote and brought out a music album about Payyanur, his home town, highlighting its significant role in India’s freedom struggle, thereby creating a sense of belongingness among the new generation to India and its great culture.
♦ He was the chief organizer of the folk cultural festival Payyanur Kala Mela held at Abu Dhabi in 2009 This is the first time Abu Dhabi witnessed a full-fledged folk cultural fest of Indian art forms.
♦ He has acted in three Malayalam films

A Deserving Winner of Many Awards & Honours
        Different organizations, governmental and non-governmental, have honoured VTV with much-coveted awards and titles in recognition of his inimitable contributions and selfless service to the society around. The major awards include:

❖ FOLKLORE ACADEMY AWARD by the Government of Kerala (2005).
❖ MAHATHMA AWARD by UUKMA, a UK based organization (2020).
❖ BEST SOCIAL ACTIVIST AWARD OF THE YEAR by the World Malayali Council (2008).
❖ FIRST KERALA GANDHIGRAM AWARD 2012.
❖ AKSHYA NATIONAL AWARD by the Akshya Pusthaka Nidhi 2010.
❖ MASTER OF FOLKLORE AWARD by the India Social & Cultural Centre, Abu Dhabi, (The largest registered Indian organisation in the UAE - 2012).
❖ PRAVASI SAMSKRITHI PURASKARAM by Malayala Bhasha Padasala, Kannur (2009).
❖ OUTSTANDING PRAVASI PURASKARAM by Rotary Club of Payyanur Mid Town (2010).
❖ SPECIAL AWARD by the Souhruda Vedi of Qatar (2011). Presented by the Indian Ambassador to the State of Qatar.
❖ PATTUM VALAYUM (traditional way of honouring artists by presenting golden bangle and red sacred cloth) by Kannur SN College Alumini Association, Abu Dhabi Chapter (2008).
❖ KALANIKETAN STATE AWARD by Kala Niketan Trust, Kasargod (2014).
❖ CHIRAYANKIIZHU ANSAR AWARD by the Union of Malayali Music and Arts,
Abu Dhabi (2016).

Most of these awards carried cash prizes which he distributed to the poor people for their treatment expenses. 

He was also honoured in the following way:
♦ By H.E. the Ambassador of India to the UAE, Mr. Navdeep Sing Suri, at Abu Dhabi for taking the initiative for installing the Gandhi statue at Abu Dhabi.
♦ By Indira Gandhi Veekshanam Forum for the above reason. Former Chief Minister of Kerala, Mr. Oommen Chandy did the honours.
♦ By the populace of Payyanur, his home town, for his overall contributions. A souvenir, titled Maruneeru (The Desert Spring), highlighting his achievements, was also brought out on that occasion. 

A Professional of Impeccable Track Record
        VTV started his career as a Stenographer in KELTRON, one of the biggest public sector electronics corporations run by the Govt. of Kerala.

        Since 7th August 1995, he has been serving PKF UAE, one of the leading Accountants & Business Advisers, as Senior Consultant in Abu Dhabi.

A Family Man of Immense Love
VTV was born to Mr. K.U. Rama Poduval and Mrs. Narayani Amma in 1955 in a rural village (Annur) in North Kerala. The traditional joint family system of which he was a part taught him lessons of love, compassion, co-operation, and team work which molded his humanitarian outlook.

He got married to Nirmala, a home maker, and the couple is blessed with two children— Aiswarya, married to Ranjith Poduval; and Vaisakh, a civil engineer, married to Hitha. VTV lives with his family in Abu Dhabi. 

Mobirise

V.T.V DAMODARAN

A social worker with a passion for championing the cause of his less-privileged countrymen, he is a well-known figure in local circles and has received several awards and commendations in this connection.

Mobirise


VTV DAMODARAN
ABU DHABI
U.A.E.

EMAIL: mail@vtvdamodaran.com / vtvd@hotmail.com
Phone: +971 50 5229059

© Copyright 2021 V.T.V. Damodaran - All Rights Reserved

Made with ‌

HTML Code Generator