So you thought Onam was all about sadya and payasam? From Onam pregnancies to an odd ceremonial exchange of rice for tobacco leaves - these Malayali celebs tell us their candid stories that could well be from a TV show. The only ingredient that seems to have been involuntarily given a miss in their festive family tales is Facebook.
Good riddance, says Sonali Shenoy!
Parvathy Omanakuttan, Actor
I think my Onam in Mumbai is a lot more special than a more authentic one in Kerala, because my mom makes the best sadya. In fact, when it comes to your typical sadya menu and adapradaman, I refuse to eat anywhere else but home.
My best so far though, I would have to say was the one right after Miss India happened, because my cousin delivered her baby boy that day. He is four years old now and I’m very close to him.
Paul Jacob, Musician
I was raised in Chennai so I can’t speak Malayalam. But when Onam comes around, all my musician friends come home, I pick up my guitar and we sing some Malayalam tunes. I can’t think of my best Onam, but my favourite part about the festival is that I end up doing a lot of cooking. Back in the day, I learnt all the sadya recipes from my dad and grandmother
Sunil Menon fashion choreographer and gay rights activist:
It’s extremely difficult going home for Onam while working in the fashion industry. There’s always something going on. But the one year that I will cherish for a long time was a day when I did make the trip home and spent it in Kerala with my parents. There was none of the usual hoopla and excitement, no relatives or cousins – just us three... enjoying some quiet time
Yohan Chacko Dentist and theatre actor
Traditionally back home on our farm in Kerala, there is an Onam practice where we would give the workers a bushel of rice and new clothes, and in return, the workers would give us tobacco leaves. That’s a part of Onam I will never forget. This year, I’m running a half marathon on a mud trail in Mysore...my parents don’t mind, they know I’m nuts!