'Onam' celebrated in British Parliament

For the first time, Kerala's most important 'Onam' festival was celebrated in the British Parliament.The two-hour celebration was held yesterday with a display of Kerala's art forms followed by 'Onam' feast. Though the House was in sitting and debate was taking place some MPs came out to join the celebrations, Philip Abraham, chief organiser, Kearla Business Forum, which conducted the programme, said in an e-mail from London today.Several staff in the Parliament and Councillors attended the function and had a 26-course traditional Onam feast, served in plantain leaf, he said.George Raju, second secretary (economic) of the Indian highcommission, delivered the 'Onam' message on behalf of the Indian high commissioner.

The MPs who participated the event included Stephen Timms, Stephen Hammond, Keith Vaz and Virendra Sharma.

Malayalee Councillors Omana Gangadharan, Roy Abraham and Jose Alexander also attended celebrations.Traditional artforms like Kathakali and Mohinattam were performed in the Parliament as part of the celebrations, he said.The Kathakali performance was a prelude to the National Kathakali Tour in about 50 venues all around United Kingdom byKala Chethana Kathakali Company. Several artists from Kerala,including Padmashree Kalamandalam Gopi will join the NationalTour, which starts during this month, he said.