Celebrating the homecoming of Kerala’s beloved King Mahabali, Thiruonam is the most auspicious as well as the final day of the ten-day Onam festival, the harvest festival of the Malayalees. This year Thiruonam is on September 16. In Kerala, the festival is celebrated with Onam Pookkallam (flower arrangement), Onam Sadya (the elaborate Onam feast), Vallam Kali (boat race), Puli kali (tiger dance) and more.
With a large Malayalee population in Bangalore, the festival is celebrated with equal fervour and happiness here. Being a community festival, that cuts across religions, caste and class, various cultural centres have organised activities to mark the day. Here are a few.
At East Cultural Association, Onam will be celebrated on September 21 and 22. On the first day, an inaugural meeting will be held for ‘members only’. Families of the members will put up a variety of performances. They have also invited ministers, bureaucrats and film stars from Kerala to attend the function. This year, the chief guest is Oomen Chandy, Chief Minister, Kerala and K J George (Home minister, Karnataka) and Bharath Salimkumar (noted film actor) are the guests of honour.
The second day will see various competitions and activities that are open to general public. These activities include a pookkallam competition, fancy dress competitions for the children, an Ottamthullal performance by Kalamandalam Nandakumar and team, various dance performances and a music performance by Cochin Golden Hits.
The All India Malayalee Association Bangalore will be offering orphaned children Onam sadhya on September 21. They are also organising a competition ‘Best Singer of Karnataka’ on September 28 and 29 for people between the age groups of 13-19 years and 20-30 years.
St Vincent Pallotti Church will conduct mass on Sunday, September 29 at 9 am, which will be followed by various activities. A grand Onam sadhya will also be served after the activities are completed.
Kairali, on MG Road is holding an Onam fair, with various Kerala handloom products on exhibition.