Onam Ashamsagal!

Onam falls in the Malayalee month of Chingam, not to be confused with Singham. It is the only secular festival in our country because when you go to Kerala, you get wished by people from all communities. As a pure-bred Mumbaikar who is also a Mallu, we used to celebrate Onam after school hours as it was never declared a holiday for us. In fact, I grew up listening to elders talking about sending petitions to the government to get at least one day off for Onam.

Every year on Onam, I miss my late parents and the lovely sadhya in our house (sadhya as in feast and not Sadhya Mridul...er Sandhya Mridul). 'Kayavarthuedde benana chips' as we Mallus call it was the most consumed snack during Onam celebrations. The semia payasam (vermicelli kheer with no relation to Anupam Kheer…sorry Kher) was my personal favourite. The lunch would always be served on 'benana' leaves on the main day of Onam. How come no one thought about cholesterol in our lovely popaddams when we were kids? So now the poppadams are taboo, the payasam leads to diabeties, 'benana' chips are fattening, 'benana' leaves are not hygienic and Onam is not a public holiday.

Nowadays, most of the Onam celebrations are done in an elaborate fashion by the Malayalee Samajams across the city. I reside in Andheri (W) and I think I am a member of the Andheri Samajam; they always reserve a day for Onam festivities, including payasam making competition! Of course, it is held on the Sunday after Onam; in case Onam falls on a Sunday, the festivities are held on the same day.

Malayalam plays, songs and flower decoration competitions welcome the average Mumbai Mallu who has no clue about Onam or Thiruonam. I am scared to go for these functions because after getting praised for my body of work for the past 21 years in the film industry, I'm often asked "Evadeya joli" meaning "Where do you work?" That, sort of, dampens my Onam spirit.

Anyway, to all my Malayalee friends 'happy...sorry, Onam Ashamsagal'. May Mahabali bring happiness and prosperity to you and your family.