THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Come September 3, the capital will turn into a hub of cultural activity as part of the week-long Onam celebrations organised by the Tourism Department.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate this year’s Onam celebrations at 6.15 pm on September 3 at the Nishagnadhi Auditorium at a function to be presided over by Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran.
Actor Mammootty will be the chief guest. A dance performance by Manju Warrier and a musical nite by Vijay Yesudas and Vidhu Pratap are the key attractions of the inaugural event.
The event will begin with ‘panjarimelam’ featuring over 40 young artists. An audio visual programme titled ‘Nanma Niravil Nallonam’, directed by Mathew Itty will also be staged as part fo the inaugural function.
Welcoming Onam
Minister Kadakampally Surendran will hoist the flag at the Kanakakunnu Palace grounds, heralding the arrival of Onam.
Power Minister M M Mani will switch on the electric illumination which has been set up from Kowdiar to Manacaud. The KTDC Chairman M Vijayakumar will launch a food festival at the Kanakakunnu grounds. A Tourist Information Centre, which has been set up at the Kanakakunnu ground will be inaugurated by Mayor V K Prasanth.
Other Attractions
The ‘athappookkalam’ (floral carpet) competition will be held at Government College for Women on September 2. On the same day, Thiruvathira competition will be held at Bharat Bhavan. A trade fair at Soorkayanthi Auditorium will also be launched on that day by C Divakaran MLA.
Key Venues
The Onam week celebrations organised by the state government will be spread across 30 venues this year. In additon to Kanakakunnu grounds, Kazhakkoottam and Akkulam Tourist Village have been designated as main venues. The venue at Shankumugham has been set apart exclusively for staging programmes for women and children.
The ‘Thiruvarangu’, ‘Nattarangu’ and ‘Sopanam’ venues at Kanakakunnu have been earmarked exclusively for traditional art forms. Mega shows organised by various media outlets will be held at the Central Stadium. The celebrations will conclude with a grand Onam pageantry on September 9. The pageantry attracts thousands of visitors both from within the country and abroad.
Onam Week Celebrations
Main Venues
Nishagandhi Auditorium, Kazhakkoottam, Akkualam
Other Venues
Kanakakunnu Palace – Classical music & photo exhibition
Shankumugham – Programmes for women and children
Poojappura Maidan – Ganamela
Theerthapada Mandapam – Kathakali, koothu, kaliyattam,
Soorkaykanthi, Public Office Compound, Peroorkada Bappuji Library – Ganamela
Gandhi Park – Kathaprasangam
VJT Hall – Kaviyarangu, Drama
Kanakakunnu Gate – Percussion Instruments
Museum Compound – Yoga, Kalarippayattu
Womens’ College – Athappookkalam
Vylopilly Samskrithi Bhavan – Classical dances
Bharat Bhavan – Thiruvathira, classical dances
University College – Drama (Amateur)
More venues
Sreevarahom, Veli Tourist Village, Nedumangad
Parking Yard Compound, Mudavoorppara, Pallichal, Attingal, Neyyatinkara Municipal Ground, Sree Chithira Tirunal Park, Fort.