: The cultural pageantry on September 18, which will mark the conclusion of Kerala Tourism’s week-long Onam celebrations, will bring together elements of the State and country’s culture and history and showcase new initiatives rolled out by the government.
Around 1,000 artistes will participate in the pageantry to be taken out along the thoroughfares of the State capital from Vellayambalam to East Fort on Sunday.
As many as 46 art forms of Kerala and nine from other States will give a pan-India feel to the colourful pageantry.
Thematic floats
Around 75 thematic floats of government departments, public sector, private and banking institutions have will tail the art forms.
Governor P. Sathasivam will flag off the pageantry at a special pavilion to be erected on Manaveeyam Road at 5.30 p.m.
Tourism Minister A. C. Moideen will hand over a “kombu” to the main artiste to commence music for the pageantry, estimated to cost Rs.37 lakh.
Forty-six art forms from Kerala and nine art forms from other States will be featured in the pageantry.
Other States
Silambattam from Puducherry, Sambalpuri from Odisha, Mathuri tribal dance from Telangana, Sarakalu from Andhra Pradesh, Siddhi Dhamal from Gujarat, Gudumbaja from Madhya Pradesh, Fug and Khumar from Haryana, Dolkunitha and Somanakunitha from Karnataka and Karagom and Dummy Horse from Tamil Nadu will be the art forms from other States.
Minister for Tourism A.C. Moideen and Minister for Electricity and Devaswom Kadakampally Surendran told a press conference here on Thursday that elaborate arrangements had been made for pageantry. Cultural programmes had been arranged at five venues along the five-km route. Green protocol will be followed for floats in the pageantry, the Ministers said.
The expenses of pageantry had been brought down from last years Rs. 47 lakh to Rs. 35 lakh and more elements had been added in the 2016 edition, Mr. Surendran said.
Following the pageantry, the Governor will inaugurate the valedictory ceremony that will be held at the Nishagandhi auditorium.
The best floats in various categories will be presented prizes at the function. Kuchupudi by actor Manju Warrier at Nishagandhi auditorium is another highlight of the valedictory day.
Special bus services
The KSRTC will operate special services from East Fort to various destinations once the pageantry comes to an end at East Fort at 8 p.m. Traffic restrictions will be imposed and parking arrangements had been made in University College, Sanskrit College, Kerala University Office, Thycaud Police Stadium, Sooryakanthi road, Kerala Water Authority office premises, Nandavanam road, Cotton Hill school premises and beneath the Flyover near the Reserve Bank of India for those coming in the vehicles.
46 art forms of State to feature in procession
Cultural programmes
at five venues
