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Mar Thoma Syrian Church · Diocese of North America Contact the Region’s ministries
South East Region · Yuvajana Sakhyam

Regional Kalamela
2026

  • Saturday, October 10, 2026
  • Registration & breakfast from 8:30 AM
    Event begins at 9:00 AM
  • Ascension Mar Thoma Church, PA

Registration is open for Shakhas registered with the Diocese of North America for 2026.

REGISTER NOW

Names due to the Regional Secretary by
September 25, 2026

Purpose of the Kalamela

Why we gather

To unite youth from different churches in a Christ-centered environment where they can celebrate, share, and develop their God-given talents. These competitions aim to build fellowship, encourage spiritual growth, and inspire creative expression that glorifies God and strengthens the wider body of Christ.

Fellowship

Youth from every Shakha in the region, together for one day.

Spiritual growth

A Christ-centered environment for every competition.

Creative expression

Music, speech and Scripture offered as worship.

God-given talents

A place to develop the gifts each member has been given.

The wider body of Christ

Strengthening the bonds between parishes across the region.

Competitions

Six categories

Songs, portions and rules are as given in the official Kalamela notice.

Item 1 Individual item

Solo — Male & Female (Vocal), Malayalam

സോളോ ഗാനം (മലയാളം)
Songs
  • ക്രിസ്തീയ കീർത്തനം 257 യേശുദേവ എൻ യേശുദേവ പാപികാശ്രയം നീയേ
  • ക്രിസ്തീയ കീർത്തനം 463 കാർത്തൻ തന്ന നൽ വാഗ്ദാനം
Rules
  • Participants sing the chorus and stanza selected by the judges from the given song.
Not permitted
  • Amplifying devices
  • Accompanying instruments
  • External direction

These restrictions exist so the judges assess the participant's natural voice and skill.

Item 2 Individual item

Solo — Male & Female (Vocal), English

സോളോ ഗാനം (ഇംഗ്ലീഷ്)
Songs
  • Hymn The Old Rugged Cross
  • Hymn When the Trumpet of the Lord Shall Sound
Rules
  • Participants sing the chorus and stanza selected by the judges from the given song.
Not permitted
  • Amplifying devices
  • Accompanying instruments
  • External direction

The same individual vocal rules apply as for the Malayalam solo.

Item 3 Group item

Group Song (Vocal)

സംഘഗാനം
Songs
  • ക്രിസ്തീയ കീർത്തനം 442 ക്രൂശിതനാം ക്രിസ്തുവെ
  • ക്രിസ്തീയ കീർത്തനം 500 എൻ യേശുതൻ വില തീരാ സ്നേഹം
Minimum 7 · Maximum 15 participants
Rules
  • Groups sing the chorus and stanza selected by the judges from both songs.
  • Minimum 7 and maximum 15 participants, including the choir master or conductor.
  • A pitch pipe instrument or phone app may be used to identify the starting musical note.
  • The Eastern song should be sung plain.
  • The Western song should be sung with the parts provided in the notations.
Not permitted
  • Amplifying devices
  • Accompanying instruments
  • Karaoke
Item 4 Group item

Bible Quiz

ബൈബിൾ ക്വിസ്
Portions
  • 70% Philippians, Colossians, and 1 & 2 Thessalonians
  • 30% General Bible knowledge and Church history
Minimum 3 · Maximum 5 participants
Rules
  • Minimum 3 and maximum 5 participants per team.
  • The Quiz Master presents each question to all participants in both English and Malayalam.
  • In the English quiz, the NIV Bible is used for reference.
  • Participants must write their answers clearly and legibly on the answer sheet provided.
  • On completion, all answer sheets must be submitted immediately to the Quiz Master.
  • Questions and answers are reviewed with the teams after the answer sheets are collected.
  • All collected answer sheets are evaluated by the Quiz Master and the vicars.
  • Results are announced after the evaluation process is complete.
  • The decision of the Quiz Master is final.
Item 5 Individual item

Elocution — English & Malayalam

പ്രസംഗം
Rules
  • The topics are different for the English and Malayalam elocutions.
  • The topic is presented to the participant 5 minutes before their assigned time.
  • The elocution must not exceed 5 minutes.
  • Participants must use the provided Bible for preparation.
Not permitted
  • Cell phones
  • Smart watches
  • Any electronic device for preparation or presentation
  • Prewritten notes
Item 6 Individual item

Bible Reading — English & Malayalam

ബൈബിൾ വായന
Rules
  • Participants read the Bible portion given by the judges.
  • Every participant picks a different portion from the lot provided by the judges.
  • A Bible is provided to the participants.
Please read carefully

Important Requirements

Eligibility

Members from Shakhas that have registered with the Diocese of North America for 2026 can participate in the Kalamela.

Individual participation

Each Shakha can have two members for individual items. A member can participate in up to three individual items only.

Approval and deadline

Participant names must be approved by the Parish Vicars and forwarded to the Regional Secretary by the respective Shakha Secretary. Only approved and authorised names submitted to the Regional Secretary by September 25, 2026 will be allowed to participate.

Contacting the judges

Participants and members are strictly prohibited from contacting the judges at any time — before, during or after the Kalamela. All inquiries must be directed exclusively to the South East Regional officials.

Time limits

Time limits will be strictly enforced.

Judging

Decisions made by the judges are final.

Deadline — September 25, 2026. Only approved and authorised names submitted to the Regional Secretary by this date will be allowed to participate in the Regional Kalamela.

Costs

Registration fees

Registration fees and the Shakha contribution are collected before the competition. The registration form works out the total for you.

Payment is not collected on this website. The form calculates and confirms the amount due; the Regional Treasurer collects it before the competition.

Individual item
Per entry. A member may enter up to 3 individual items.
$15.00
Group item
Per entry. Group Song and Bible Quiz.
$30.00
Shakha contribution
Collected once from each registered Shakha.
$150.00
Recognition

Awards & trophies

First, second and third place winners in the individual categories (Solo Malayalam and English, Elocution and Bible Reading) are awarded individual trophies or medals and points.

Ever Rolling Trophy
Awarded to the Shakha that acquires the maximum number of points.
James Cherian Memorial Ever Rolling Trophy
Awarded to the team that secures 1st place in the Bible Quiz.
Annamma Abraham Memorial Ever Rolling Trophy
Awarded to the group that secures 1st place in Group Song.

Points

Category First Second Third
Group items 10 5 3
Individual items 5 3 1

The Ever Rolling Trophy is awarded to the Shakha with the maximum number of points.

Shakha Secretaries

Register your Shakha

Five steps: your Shakha details, your participants, their events, a review of the fees, and confirmation with a registration number.

Register Now

Names must be approved by your Parish Vicar before you submit.