An elaborate pookkalam , floral rangoli with a combination of thumbapoo and petals of fresh flowers, was designed intricately on the floor.
While men dressed in their best formed a beeline, some carrying an umbrella, women in settu mundu (traditional attire) showered flower petals all along the path as the legendary king ‘Mahabali’ walked on to the stage amidst the rhythmic beats of Chenda Melam .
It was a visual treat for those who assembled at CSR Function Hall to witness the impressive mythological scenes unique to Onam, celebrated on Thiruvonam .
What followed for the next couple of hours was a host of cultural performances, bringing the essence of God’s Own Country to the fore in classical and folk art forms.
Presented by Kairali Arts Club, hundreds of Malayalis came together to usher in Onam much ahead.
“This year, Onam is observed on August 28. Since most of us will be busy with the celebrations at home, as an association, we wanted to celebrate the festival a week in advance. It is an honour for me to be part of the entertaining scene as this is the sixth consecutive year that I am donning the role of ‘Mahabali’,” explains C. Karthikeyan, who has been living in the port city for the last six years. Those who performed Thiruvathirakali (traditional dance form performed by women) and Pulikali (tiger dance presented by men) say that it is something that binds them together every year.
“ Thiruvathirakali and Pulikali play an important role to welcome the king who descends on earth from patala . While women and children form teams to practice the traditional dance and folk art, men get busy with their favourite art form Pulikali ,” says Shajitha.
For Keralites, Onam celebrations continue for 10 days from Atham to Thiruvonam stars. Men and women join hands to help the cooks dish out traditional delicacies served in Onam Sadhya .
“A lot of coconuts get into the preparations. We do help in cutting coconuts into pieces and extracting milk as it is a time consuming process,” says K. Smitha.
