The Pungudutivu Welfare Association UK held its annual “Pungudutivu’s Got Talent” competition last month, celebrating the success of the community in London.

The much anticipated show, Katuvalik Kiramam 2011, saw the talent competition divided into three categories, singing for under 14 year olds, over 14 year olds and an open dance competition.

The evening, celebrating the 15th anniversary of the association, was also an opportunity for the community, from an islet in the Tamil homeland, to honour those who have graduated from university or have held an arangetram, within the last year.

The prizes were handed out by the Chief Guest, Shadow Minister and Member of Parliament for Harrow West Gareth Thomas. Addressing the crowd Mr Thomas said,

“It’s more than just a talent show. It’s a coming together of people who have a particular sense of place, particular pride in one particular part of the Tamil area of Sri Lanka.

I think I’m lucky because I have, I think, the largest number of Tamils in the UK, living in my constituency and I take huge pride in the success of the Tamil community.

Perhaps one further reason why it’s great that you’re celebrating the success and talents of the people living the UK from Pungudutivu, is because of what is still happening in Sri Lanka.

And sometimes, when you think about what is happening in Sri Lanka, there is always a great sadness about what has happened and what is happening. So we do need to come together to celebrate the success of the Tamil community.”

The evening also saw some celebrity appearances with the crowd being treated with a performance from a winner of India’s famous dance show “Jodi Number One”, Premini, dancing to a medley of songs.  There was also an appearance on stage from the renowned Tamil singer Krish, who praised the performances of the children.

The singing contests were won by Hishanth Paramakumaran who sang “Masila Unmai Kathale” and Mathuja Mohanathas who sang “Ooru Sanam Thoongiruchu”.

The climax of the show was the open dance competition. Six acts battled it out on stage, with a range of styles, from traditional Bharatanatyam dancing, to Gaana and even break-dancing.

The final result went down to the wire, with the result being decided by just seven votes. Vithya Nandakumar’s moving Bharatanatyam performance to the song “Sollil Adangatha Kodumai” depicting the atrocities happening in the Tamil homeland was only just beaten by last year’s defending champions “Murrukaddy Kuluvinar” formerly known as the “Street Tigerz” and their scintillating Gaana performance.

However, her performance on the suffering in Tamil Eelam moved a member of the audience so much, that he donated a token cash prize to the runner up.

Watch both performances below.