Chennai: With the onset of the harvest festival Onam, it's time for the city's 5 lakh Malayali community to rejoice and celebrate. Around 90 Malayalee associations in the city are also geared up to celebrate this grand festival of Kerala, celebrated in memory of the golden era of King Mahabali, known for his generosity, whose spirit is said to visit the state at the time of Onam.
“All set to celebrate Onam”, says Kumbalangadu Unnikrishnan, President of Kerala Samajam. “The Onam chanda (market) that opened yesterday has everything you need to celebrate Onam, including ethnic sarees, banana chips, chakkara varatty, pickles, payasam mix, pappadam etc”, added Unnikrishnan.
For many who stay away from Kerala for work and studies, it is a pre-planned long weekend. The crowd at the railway stations and bus depots in the city say it all. But for those who made the city their home, the weekend is hectic with shopping for clothes (onakkodi) and other things to celebrate Onam.
For Suja Ajayakumar, a Malayalam teacher at Kerala Samajam School, it is a busy weekend. “Onam is marked by new clothes, unique rangolis with fresh flowers (pookalam) and the choicest of Keralite cuisine. This includes Sambahr, Avial, Khichdi, Pachadi, Kalan, Puli inchi, varieties of thoran and the much-loved payasam, a delicious milky kheer with dry fruits and vermicilli," she said.
“Our Onam celebration starts today with a grand dinner for around thousand people. This year’s Onam is so special for us and we are going to catch up with all that we missed for the last 5 years as the Club was under renovation”, says Nanda Gopan, president Malayali Club. “Highlight of this year’s Onam will be the Kaikottukali performed by professional women in their late 70’s, on September 14th”, added Gopan.
There are many cultural activities for elders and children to look forward to, as part of the festivities planned across the city. Home maker Rajani Nair said she is looking forward to celebrating Thiru Onam in Calicut with her family in town.
“I am really looking forward to the colourful festivities back home. Onam is that time of the year for family reunion and I don’t want to miss that rare occasion”, she added.
For her, Onam is not just about the food and festivities but it is a rare opportunity to wear the ethnic wear Mundu and posing for a picture perfect moment.
