Cultural organisations across Navi Mumbai have not let the fact that Onam falls on a Monday this year, to hamper community celebration. Most organisations have a slew of traditional programmes lined up that will be conducted in their respective premises on subsequent Sundays with the same verve and fervour.
The CBD-Belapur Kerala Samaj will have many community members coming together on September 22. Govindan Kutty, president of the samaj said that the aim of Onam celebration is to spread the feeling of equality and oneness. People like to get together and celebrate because it gives them a feeling of celebrations back home in Kerala. “Around 1,000 Malayalees join the celebrations.
As a tradition, in the morning we will have a person dressed as King Mahabali, blessing everyone. This will be followed by folk dance performances by children and women. A drama will be staged giving a message of respecting women as there have been countless atrocities against them in recent times,” he said.
Pookalam is the main attraction during Onam as it involves arrangement of a variety of flowers, like a rangoli. The Kharghar Kerala Samaj thus, will conduct Pookalam competitions for its members and children today and on September 22. On September 29, it will be open for non-members also.
“We always have the Pookalam competition during Onam as it is a true manifestation of one’s creativity and patience. Participants who acquire the first three places will be awarded cash prizes of Rs3,001, Rs 2,001 and Rs 1,001 respectively, with trophies,” said Valsalan Moorkoth, president.
The celebration is always incomplete without classical dance performances that captivate the audience. “Our celebration will be held on October 6 and we will have our members and children performing group and solo dances like Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Mohiniyattam.
This will be followed by a comedy drama and prize distribution for meritorious students. Later, there will be a lucky draw contest,” said Uday Bhanu, vice-president of Sanpada Kerala Samaj.
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