Keralites relish Onam feast with family in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad was infused with the festive spirit and colour on Friday, as the Malayali population celebrated Onam with great fervour and enthusiasm.

Pookalam (floral rangoli) at the entrance of the house and a variety of traditional south Indian dishes (sadhya) were seen at every Malayali household of the city. Women were dressed up in their traditional white or off-white sarees with golden border and men were draped in white cloth. Families relished food together as per custom. 

According to legend, the land of Kerala was once ruled by Asura (demon) Mahabali, who was so great and kind that everybody started praying to him. This led to the Gods becoming jealous of King Mahabali. Lord Vishnu then came in disguise and placed his foot on Mahabali's head sending him to hell (pathalam). As his last wish, Mahabali had asked permission to meet his subjects once a year. It is believed that he comes to meet his subjects on the day of Onam.

Many Keralite families living in Ahmedabad spoke to DNA and said how much they missed the fun back in Kerala of celebrating Onam. Harshan VV, from Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA) said, "In Kerala, grand celebrations like tiger dance (Poolikali), which is famous in my town is performed. Women dance in groups, perform plays and boat race is held which is a great entertainment."

Echoing similar opinions, Suvidha Kartha, a resident of Thaltej said, "We miss our relatives there and the fun-filled moments with them on this day like the boat race, which is famous in southern part of Kerala, Poolikali and group dance performed by women (Thiruvathirakali). The swing attached to the tree branches is also l missing here." On traditional attire, Kartha said that on this day women wear a traditional half-saree with a draping cloth called mundum neriyatum. On the other hand, men wear lungi (mundum) and a kurta or shirt.

A wide variety of food items are prepared on this important day by families and are placed on a banana leaf. Kartha said that 5-6 kinds of sabzi are prepared, 3-4 types of pickles, papads, rice and cooked salads in yoghurt. KM Ramachandran said, "A total of 16-17 food items placed on a banana leaf was our grand lunch enjoyed with family members."

Abeena Chandran said, "Onam is actually a 10-day festival of which Friday was the 10th day, which is also called Thiruonam. As it is believed that King Mahabali comes to meet his subjects on this day, we decorate our house at night before the Onam so that when he comes in the early morning, he is welcomed with warmth."

She said that she has prepared around 10 types of sabzi, all placed on a banana leaf. Also, the family members wore new dresses on this day. Traditionally, new dress is gifted by the elders of the house to the other family members especially the children. Also, before Onam, people clean up and decorate their house as they do during Diwali. Also, during the evenings, people visit family and friends, wish each other and have food together.