All set for Onam

While onapattu, swings, onakkodi, athapookalam and Onasadya are the hallmarks of the event at home, the Malayali associations in the City are trying hard to make it as a celebration of Kerala with cultural programmes, literary festivals, ethnic food fest, martial arts, fashion shows and more.

“I still reminisce traditional fervour with which we celebrate Onam at my ancestral home in Kerala.  We had the courtyard where we put thrikakarappan and put athapookalam.  Here that is not possible.  So the celebration rests on onakkodi and onasadya,” said Naveen Namboothiri, a city-based Malayali. 

While onasadya marks the sumptuous lunch on the day with all kinds of Malayali menu, hotels across the city have spread their palate with traditional adapradhaman and puliinji and sarkaraupperi and varuthakaya. “We have made elaborate arrangements for the traditional Kerala meal which will cost Rs 250. This year we had to increase the price because of soaring costs.  But we do hope this will not affect our business,” said a hotel manager.

Bangalore Kerala Samajam, the oldest Malyali cultural organisation in the City, will organise a cultural programme at Kairali Kalasamithi school premises on September 11. “Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and Oscar awardee Resool Pookutty will be chief guests,” said Samajam president C P Radhakrishnan.

Besides Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, traditional artforms like Kalaripayattu, Pulikali and Sinkarimelam add to the festivities in the city. Deepthi Association in Peenya second stage will organise Kalaripayattu on 20th September.  Many organisation across the City have organised cultural fiesta as part of the celebration.