THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city is all set to play host to the ‘Onam Week Celebrations’. As part of the celebrations a long list of events have been drawn up. A musical performance by Venugopal, Anil Bajpai, Rajalakshmi, and Jassie Gift, followed by a magic how by Gopinath Muthukad and a dance show by Kiran master and Green Shadows has been planned at the Central Stadium. The mega shows will begun on August 26.
The next day’s show includes key performances by singer Afsal, actor and presenter Nadir Shah, followed by cinematic dance and comedy show.
Janaki and Najim Arshad will perform with a team of singers at the musical show on August 28, which will be followed by a comedy show and a fire dance performance. Playback singer Naresh Iyer and his band’s performance will pave way to the dance show by cinema choreographer Sajna Najam and team on August 29.
On the penultimate day, Stephen Devassy and band, Vidhu Prathap and Sayonara will present a musical show and a dance performance by Ramzan Muhammad will surely enthral you. Director, actor, playback singer Vineeth Sreenivasan will lead the musical show on August 31.
The entry gate at Kanakakkunnu Palace will host ‘chenda’ recitals (melam and thayambaka), while classical music concerts will be held inside the palace auditorium.
This will also be the site of a painting exhibition and a press photography exhibition. The Museum Hall will host an exhibition on traditional percussions.
VJT Hall shows starting at 4 pm will feature poetry sessions followed by professional drama, while plays will also be staged at the Institute of Engineers Hall.
Shankhumukham will wear a more festive look this year with programmes by women and children. At 7:15 pm every day, the beach will host artistes such as Mannargudi Vasudevan, Giridhar Udupa, Guruprasanna, Kalpathy Balakrishnan, Anantha R Krishnan, Embar S Kannan, Palakkad Sriram, Sushant and Ebby Michael starting from August 26.
Zia Ul Haq, Janardhanan Puthusherry and Attukal Balasubramaniam will perform a fusion the next day, while on August 28 a magic show by Magician Samraj, ‘Sarga Keralam’, a special choreography by Malayalam Theatrical and Heritage Arts will go on stage on August 29 and finally a melody night by Devadas and Lela Joseph on August 30.
While an Athapookalam competition will be held for Press Club members at the Government Women’s College auditorium, the Vyloppilly Samskrithi Bhavan will host Thiruvathirakali competitions for Higher Secondary schools and colleges.
The open-air venue and Koothambalam at Samskrithi Bhavan will also host classical group dance.
Vicinity of Public Office, Poojapura Maidan and Bharath Bhavan will be venues for musical shows. Magic and comedy shows (Sathyan Memorial Hall), Kathaprasangam (Gandhi Park), Kalaripayattu (Museum), Kathakali, Koodiyattom, Akshrashlokam and Koothu (Theerthapada Mandapam), besides folk arts in Sopanam, Sooryakanthi Mini Stage, Thiruvarangu and Nattarangu have also been scheduled.
Other programme venues are Bapuji Library at Peroorkada, Sreevaraham auditorium, Veli tourist village, Nedumangad Koyikkal Palace, Madavoorpara Boat Club premises.
Additionally, trade fairs and exhibitions will be conducted at Suryakanthi ground in association with Kudumbasree and government units, along with a food festival.
A temporary amusement park for children will be set up at Kanakakkunu. There will be a special programme for NRKs on August 27.
The celebrations will end with a mega finale, which will begin with a procession exhibiting art forms from Kerala and other states. The procession will start from Vellayambalam and culminate at East Fort on August 31.
Kerala Tourism director P I Sheikh Pareeth and additional director(general) T V Anupama were also present at the press conference, where the ‘Onam theme’ song and Onam programmes brochure were launched.