Onam week celebrations to begin on August 22 in Kerala

Mega cultural shows by renowned artistes and a special programme to honour actor Kamal Haasan, who has completed 50 years in cinema, would be the highlights of this year's Onam (Kerala's harvest festival) week celebrations beginning on August 22.

Noted filmmaker TK Rajeev Kumar will direct a cultural
programme titled Swarna Kamalam at the state-level inaugural of the festivities at the Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium here.

Kamal Haasan will be honoured at the same function, to be
inaugurated by chief minister VS Achuthanandan.

A trade fair and food festival will be conducted at the Kanakakkunnu palace. The main stretch of the city road from Vellayambalam and East Fort will be illuminated as part of the celebrations.

The celebration, meant to attract foreign and domestic tourists, is also expected to create a boom in the state's trade scene. More than 4,000 artistes will stage performances during the one-week period in the city.

Coinciding with the celebrations in the capital city, cultural programmes will be held in all district headquarters during the week. The celebrations will conclude on August 28 with a
cultural pageantry here.

The state government has allotted Rs1.67 crore for the cultural extravaganza, while the remaining funds will be raised through sponsorship, official sources said.