Celebration of Togetherness

“In Kerala,I have seen people spending their year-long earnings in these 10 days of Onam. If any equipment is to be bought for the house,like air conditioners or refridgerators,people wait for Onam to purchase the goods,” says businessman K P Ravindran,who settled in Pune more than 30 years ago.

On August 28,this community got together for Navodaya Onam celebrations at Janaki Hall,Swargate. They organised a day-long programme which consisted of traditional dances,recitals,songs and speeches. M Radhakrishnan,director,Autoline Industries,inaugurated the event. “The message of Onam is summed up in three words: prosperity,dharma and equality. Celebration for 10 continuous days in Pune is not possible,so we all gather together for a day and indulge in the celebration,” says Krishnadas,chief guest for the occasion. “I have been staying in Pune for the last 10 years. Even though we are Maharashtran Malayalis,we have not forgotten our roots. Gatherings like these help in the integration of society,” says Vikas Mathkari who was present at the celebration.

Every different community settled in the city provides colour and diversity with its different language,culture and cuisine. At gatherings like these,one of the main attractions is the food. Like any Indian festival,the menu is lavish and authentic,full of favourite dishes which one may not find at any South Indian restaurant. avial,payasam,steamed rice,kadi,sambar and other scrumptious treats from the southern state were served on banana leaves. “We make an effort to make these dishes at home especially during festivals. But then,I cannot miss out on the chance to come here,meet and interact with people from the community,enjoy a display of our culture and traditions and eat together,” says Pavitran K P,an entrepreneur.

The festival will come to an end with another get-together organised at Alpa Bachat Bhavan on September 11. A pookkalam competition for women and a Malayalam alphabet writing competition for children will be held along with a day-long programme of dance and drama. “Onam is a beautiful festival and hence is celebrated beautifully. We encourage Malayalis to keep their tradition alive by hosting competitions like Pookkalam competitions – the making of rangoli with flower petals and leaves. The Malayalam writing competition is a way of encouraging children to learn the language,” says Sujit Kumar,member of the organising committee of the Onam festival at Alpa Bachat Bhavan.