Onam festivities begin on a colourful note

Onam is the biggest festival in Kerala. It falls during the Malayali month Chingam (August-September). The ten day festival is celebrated with grand fanfare. Of all these days, the most important are the first day ‘Atham’ and the tenth and final day Thiru-Onam. The rich cultural legacy of Kerala comes out in its best form and spirit during the festival.

‘Maytri’, a social-culture organisation, started their Onam celebrations at Jayalakshmi Gardens on Sunday. This coincided with the society’s twentieth anniversary. Around 1,500 people attended the event which was presided by DRDO director Dr Tessy Mathew, actor Hari Sri Ashokan and singer Vidhu Prathap.

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The programme started with a classical dance Mohiniyattam. Singer Vidhu Pratab belted out old and new Malayalam songs which were lapped up by the audience. The lunch included the grand Onasadya. The event was lively where many members performed in the cultural programmes.

Celebrations by NSS

Nair Service Society (NSS), heralded Onam with pomp and gaiety at Mahendra Reddy Gardens with the traditional Onam feast and unique cultural programmes. The Onasadya with about 16 delicacies including two payasams were served on plantain leaves to over 1,200 people. Renowned poet Prof. V Madhusudanan Nair, who was the chief guest, explained the importance of Onam in the life of Keralites.

He also rendered few of his famous poems. President of the NSS, CG Chandra Mohan, explained about the activities of the society. Scholarships were distributed to meritorious students who excelled in Class X and XII. Elders (Karanavanmar) in the society were honoured too at the event. The musical programme was presented by Music Moments who hail from Kannur.