Planning to purchase a Kerala settu mundu (traditional attire) or essential ingredients to whip up some sumptuous dishes? You don’t have to travel all the way to Kerala. Onachandas ( markets) have cropped up across Chennai, selling food and clothing for the ten-day festival.
Every year, nine lakh Malayalees in Chennai wait for the festival eagerly, not just for the celebrations but also for a chance to visit these markets and in the process, spend some fun time with the friends. This year, the markets have been set up in six places. One of the markets has been set up in a school belonging to the Madras Kerala Samajam off Poonamalee High Road. “We have 22 stalls this year. Some of the products like plantains, banana chips, kalan mix and pickles are available at discounted rates. We also have outlets selling traditional Kerala attire. Besides, there is also a stall selling saris woven by the differently abled, again sold at discounts,” says Kumblengad Unnikrishnan, general secretary of the Samajam.
One of the major attractions this year is the Kandhari Milagu ( birds eye chilli). “It is very spicy and is said to lower blood pressure. As it is not easily available in Chennai, we thought of putting it up for sale,” he adds.
Meanwhile, another market has been setup by Akhila Malayalee Mahila Association. “ Even non-Malayalees visit the stall. Most of them purchase chips and pickles,” says P.R. Smitha, Chennai chapter president of the association.
M.A. Salim, president of Confederation of Tamil Nadu Malayalee Associations, said “It is not only for Keralites, but for everyone.”
This year, the markets have been set up in six places
